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'This is not soccer' - Aaron Smith criticised for milking play against the spirit of the game

(Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images)

All Black halfback has been in sublime form in Super Rugby Aotearoa but his actions have come under the microscope after ‘pulling a hollywood’.

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With Blues prop Karl Tu’inukuafe trying to get out of the way, Aaron Smith took off from the base of the ruck and ‘tripped’ over the big man who happened to be in an offside position.

As play unfolded, two passes later Blues flanker snatched a long pass and ran 70-metres the other way to score under the posts. After some incessant badgering to the ref, the TMO was called to take a look at the play involving Smith.

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Sam Whitelock and Aaron Cruden after reaching milestones

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Sam Whitelock and Aaron Cruden after reaching milestones

As a result, the Blues try was rubbed out and the Highlanders were awarded a penalty.

Smith’s role in milking the situation was widely condemned online, led by former All Black prop Wyatt Crockett who said it was ‘not in the spirt of the game’. Other fans were livid, calling the decision ‘disgraceful’ and  ‘bulls***’.

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https://twitter.com/littlesteve/status/1289776474359123968

https://twitter.com/BwahaDenise/status/1289777054070669312

https://twitter.com/benjavert/status/1289776576234549249

Rival Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara is renown for throwing passes into backtracking runners or feigning difficulty getting the ball when players are trapped on the wrong side of the ruck but Smith’s obvious and forced acting was something that is usually seen on a football field.

The momentum swing didn’t impact the game as the Blues were able to strike a little while later through halfback Finlay Christie to take a 24-18 lead at halftime, before racing ahead 32-16 early in the second half.

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H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Bok rule-benders are changing the game. They deserve respect

You want a lot of things that will never happen. You describe rugby League. You should go and watch that then. Rugby is supposed to be competitive. It's the opposition team that should figure out how to defend and turn it into an attack on the fly. The Boks play within the rules. Everyone says that kick off should have been a penalty. The law state that from a kick off it's a scrum. It's confusing as with mauls and rucks, the player has to be behind the kicker. The same does not hold true for kick offs. That law they can change, because the same rule should apply across the board for players to be behind the kicker. It's not the first time that the infield lineout has been used, only the first time in an international match. If I remember correctly, the Barbarians used it against England in 2021 or 2022 (under correction). It's also been used in SR during the 2000’s. There is just this big hoo haw because the Boks did it. If it was another team like the Irish or England or the French or someone, it would be innovative, genius and brilliant. The dummy the AB's did where a player broke to the right, acting like he had the ball, meanwhile the scrumhalfs ran down the sideline and scored. I don't hear you cry about that. That can be seen as cynical play and there is even a case for unsportsmanlike behaviour and at a minimum a yellow card. Yet there is silence from you about that. I on the other hand thought that was a great tactic. It's also not a new invention, but an old one. You only love rugby when it suits you. I don't care what new tactics teams use, or whoever the team is that is doing it. Every new invention or tactic or play that the coaches comes up with is great for rugby. It keeps it interesting. There is no law that prevents other coaches using the same tactics or create their own. It's up to coaches to come up with defense strategies to cut that down, and even retaliate against it. The game is never boring. It keeps evolving. People keep talking about rugby and all these things is what draw new fans. They don't want boring. They want innovative and fun. They want to hear the crash of bodies. They want to see the strength of the scrums. They want to see the speed, agility and flair of the players. The amazing passes and jukes or side steps. The only reason you are so up in arms is because the Boks did it and now you want it banned. The same rhyme over and over. Matt Williams wannabe. Nah, you don't love rugby or else you would enjoy the most exciting era yet in this lovely sport. Stars in so many national teams has never been more abundant nor was there so many teams that could beat each other on any given day. Not to even mention watching an era of the most controversial but most innovative and clever coach ever. A dynasty that's to last for a very long time even after he retires. Like him or hate him, his genius is undeniable and he is recognised world wide as the best coach in most countries by fans and pundits alike, even if they don't like him. Stop the hate and rather enjoy what's to come.

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