'You can be an All Black': The message from Jamie Joseph that helped define Aaron Smith's career
When Aaron Smith runs out onto the field to take on the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday, he will become the most-capped Highlanders player of all-time.
In doing so, he will take the record from franchise icon Ben Smith, a long-time teammate at both Super Rugby and international level who played 153 times for the southern franchise between 2009 and 2019.
It’s a feat that the 32-year-old never thought he’d achieve when he arrived at the Highlanders with only three years of provincial experience and a few Maori All Blacks caps to his name a decade ago.
Since then, Smith has grown into one of the greatest, if not the best, halfback of all-time, having secured a World Cup crown, a Super Rugby title and is narrowing in on his 100th test for the All Blacks.
Those accolades didn’t come easily, though, as Smith acknowledged upon reflection of his journey to what is set to be a record-breaking outing this weekend.
In fact, the biggest challenge he faced when he first came to Dunedin from his native Palmerston North as a fresh-faced 22-year-old was overtaking an incumbent All Black in the form of Jimmy Cowan.
As Smith alluded to while speaking to media on Monday, the prospect of usurping someone who had firmly established himself in the national set-up was a daunting task, and it was for that reason Smith felt content with his status as a Super Rugby player.
However, a message from then-head coach Jamie Joseph, the man responsible for guiding the Highlanders to their only Super Rugby championship, changed the trajectory of Smith’s career.
“The first year, I think I went down with that attitude of I’m happy to be here and compete, but I knew Jimmy was the guy,” Smith said.
“At the end of that year, Jamie Joseph really challenged me about, like, ‘You’re not just that guy. I’ll pick the best halfback for this team and if that’s you, that’s you. Just because Jimmy’s an All Black, a 100-game player, doesn’t mean you can’t start’.
“I think that really lit a fire under me around, ‘Okay, well maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way’.
“I think the way I showed up for 2012 or end of 2011 after Mitre 10 [Cup], had a real good pre-season and then [was] able to compete with Jimmy after he’d won the World Cup.
“Jamie Jo was pretty bold about giving me opportunities, and then I’d just tried to take them with both hands and it ended up being a really great year for myself.”
"There were bigger prizes out there for some of the Crusaders’ better players and, try as coach Todd Blackadder might, that never changed."
– Hamish Bidwell weighs in on some of the remarkable feats of Scott Robertson. https://t.co/iXSsd6lPP1— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 22, 2021
Smith added that competing with a player of the ilk of Cowan, a Super Rugby centurion and World Cup-winning All Black, for a place in the starting lineup on a weekly basis drove him to become the best version of himself as a player.
That led to an All Blacks debut in 2012, but he never thought it would amount to him becoming the most-capped Highlanders player of all-time, though.
Smith credits both milestones, of becoming an All Black and the most experienced Highlander ever, to the ambition Joseph instilled in him during the early stages of their time together at the club.
“When I played my first [season], I was like, ‘Yeah, this is pretty cool’, but I was just rolling with it that first year to be honest, enjoying it,” Smith said.
“I just moved to Dunedin. From Palmerston North, Dunedin’s a pretty big jump of culture, cafes, the social life, everything was just like a big shock to me, and then, obviously, I was going to Australia and South Africa.
“It was really cool, and then the shock of Jamie Joseph saying, ‘You can be Jimmy Cowan. You can be an All Black, if you get some things right, you change your habits around your training, you get fitter’.
“I already think I had that competitive edge and that will to want to be good, but I didn’t believe it. I didn’t think, not in that first year anyway, but after that, I owe a lot to Jamie and Brownie [Tony Brown] around bringing out the best of me.”
Smith pointed to a particular conversation he had with Joseph after he had been cited for a bad tackle during his maiden campaign with the Highlanders as a real turning point in his playing career.
“I remember getting in trouble with a tip-tackle on Toby Morland one time, and I had to go to the judiciary with Jamie in 2011, and on that flight, he said to me, ‘I believe your game could transgress to the test level, to the All Blacks’.
“It was a bit of a shock. I wanted to believe him, and excited to, but knew that I’d actually have to change some things, especially around my eating habits, my drinking habits, and, at the time, just my work ethic.
“I was talented and young, but I never did more than I needed to. I never was the fittest guy, I never was the strongest guy for my position or anything, I was just enough.
“I’d made Super [Rugby] and I was happy with that at the time, but, I think as I went to that Mitre 10 Cup, I had a full season of Super, had an alright year at Mitre 10 and then I really wanted to take advantage of what Jamie had challenged me with.
“I got as fit and as strong as I’d ever been at that time, and had a really good pre-season and really wanted that jersey, and I think it really unlocked something that I hadn’t seen.
“I had seen belief, seen my ability to be able to play a different style of rugby that other No 9s weren’t doing at the time and just really fed off that.”
Gotta stay true. ? #BLUvCRU pic.twitter.com/mFTRntTRST
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 22, 2021
Without those words of inspiration from Joseph, it isn’t unrealistic to suggest Smith may never have become the player he is today.
The player he has become is one whose game is built around an exceptional passing game, immense work rate, strong leadership and a clear, boisterous passion for the game.
It may be difficult, then, for his fans and admirers to comprehend that Smith believes there is also an element of luck about the way in which career has transpired in spite of those aforementioned attributes that have made him as good as he is.
According to Smith, playing regularly under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium, which replaced the out-dated Carisbrook as the home of the Highlanders in 2012, as well as under the tutelage of master tactician Tony Brown have all contributed to his successes.
“The stadium came along and a lot of things fell at my lap that were very brilliant around the way we wanted to play rugby with Brownie’s game plan and the likes,” Smith said.
“I was just lucky that that game plan suited the Highlanders. If we were still playing at Carisbrook, would my game [have] been as well[-suited] playing in the dewy weather? Or would a more combative halfback have fitted?
“But, having a roof, playing an up-tempo style of game – we had a smaller forward pack and then a nippier halfback that just wanted to keep pushing the tempo of play – I think it just really suited me.
“With the athletes we had at the time and the way we played, it suited me to a tee and ended up getting me a shot at the All Blacks, which is, obviously, the ultimate goal.”
The Crusaders made sure their presence was felt at Eden Park as they turned on the showboating. #BLUvCRU https://t.co/hUllNzrWoz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 22, 2021
Now a seasoned veteran and one of the most important players in the Highlanders’ set-up, Smith is calling on his younger teammates to follow in his footsteps and demand more of themselves rather than being content as just Super Rugby players.
That includes Folau Fakatava, the highly-touted young halfback who is set to go head-to-head with Smith for a starting spot through until 2023 in a scenario that mirrors Smith’s battle with Cowan for the No 9 jersey 10 years ago.
“The shoe’s on the other foot now,” Smith laughed.
“I’ve got Folau coming at my toes hard, so it’s a nice feeling, but I’m really happy Folau’s staying and it’s great for our club that we can attract talent like that and keep it, but also that drive to get this milestone, but also push for more.”
If there was ever a man to overtake Ben Smith, who embodies the very essence of the Highlanders culture, as the club’s most-capped player, it is appropriate that it is Aaron Smith who takes that title.
That’s because, as evidenced by his comments, so few people are as blatantly passionate about committing to a cause as Smith is about wanting the best for the Dunedin franchise.
“It’s not the end for me, for sure. I’ve committed to rugby in New Zealand for the next three years, so my drive is definitely around wanting our club to be the best we can be,” he said.
“I want to see other Highlanders players make the next level in the All Blacks or make other countries if that’s the way they play. I want our players to push for more. I want to see guys playing for the All Blacks or for Samoa or for Tonga.
“I don’t just want our boys to be happy playing Super Rugby, and I want to keep attracting young talent and seeing the Highlanders prosper in the future, and that’s why I committed to the Highlanders.
“I want to see our club be respected and be competing for titles every year.”
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
4 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to comments