With his emphasis on perfect passing technique and delivery of quick frontfoot ball, he was a revolutionary player when he burst into the scene, as I don't think any other halfback prior to him had such quality of delivery. . The game has circled back to where players in that role are expected to do do a bit more of game management and tactical kicking (ie. Dupont, Faf) but let"s never forget Nudge's contribution to the game, especially in that 2011-2015 era, where he was at the heart of the All Blacks dominance.
I’m no expert and have been in and out of the game my whole life, but what I love about Smith was he was the coolest, calmest, cleanest 9 in the game, in the period of livewires such as Faf, Genia, DuPont, Perenara, Reinach etc. A bit of a throwback stylistically that blended so nicely with a very “flair” backline. Absolute general.
Apart from his passing, kicking, running, positioning, effort, and never-say-die attitude, I'm really going to miss his screams of encouragement to his pack. Absolute legend and a lovely, humble guy.
Apart from his incredible service, the part I will miss most is that every try that was scored while he was on the field, he was the FIRST to be at the celebration and congratulate whoever scored! Uncanny
Thank you for putting these highlights together! Aaron Smith is my favourite player. What a talent he possesses every skill in the book and is still to this day so underrated! Age is just a number when you are a professional of his calibre and I would love him to carry in playing international rugby as he’s still got it!
My favourite part of Smith's career was the game against DuPont in the final, I've never seen dupont outplayed except for then (although the AB lost I still stand by that.) Unreal rugby player and an icon
I agree with all your points and the way he snipped DuPont was clearly pre planned and made a statement that individual battles matter! One day rugby will look back and give him is he respect that he deserves as one if not the best 9 ever!
I think he's probably the best #9 we've seen Dupont might surpass him if he plays good for another 5 years, and perhaps some other 9's in the past have been better relative to their era. But Smith is probably the GOAT
Gareth Edward’s is the greatest 9 of all time. Smith, Greegan and Joost are next on the list. DuPont will no doubt be amoung them when he retires (and almost is already).
@@JUÑ1ø-q2x I'm laughing so that's all that matters, but I may have mistaken your meaning - I thought you were being sarcastic? Are you an AB's supporter?
I think it's horses for courses. I can't imagine Aaron Smith making the bokkes side. But I think he's much more valuable to the Abs than faf. I also don't know how faf would go in the abs. I gained a lot of respect for faf in the final 5 minutes of the rwc final. 15 tackles with a charge down and ankel tap that were crucial momentum stoppers when the abs were back on attack
Aaron Smith should never lead the All Blacks haka he is too short and his haka voice is terrible even when he was shouting at his forwards in the scrums and rucks and mauls he reckons he's helping the forward pack players but he's not they know what they are doing and all the pain and physicality and mentality not the scrum half back.
With his emphasis on perfect passing technique and delivery of quick frontfoot ball, he was a revolutionary player when he burst into the scene, as I don't think any other halfback prior to him had such quality of delivery. . The game has circled back to where players in that role are expected to do do a bit more of game management and tactical kicking (ie. Dupont, Faf) but let"s never forget Nudge's contribution to the game, especially in that 2011-2015 era, where he was at the heart of the All Blacks dominance.
I’m no expert and have been in and out of the game my whole life, but what I love about Smith was he was the coolest, calmest, cleanest 9 in the game, in the period of livewires such as Faf, Genia, DuPont, Perenara, Reinach etc. A bit of a throwback stylistically that blended so nicely with a very “flair” backline. Absolute general.
there was fourie du preez who in my opinion was better than him
fk up bei. Ain't even played tier one footy you boy... The skills that made him the best half in the game ain't changed....
Apart from his passing, kicking, running, positioning, effort, and never-say-die attitude, I'm really going to miss his screams of encouragement to his pack. Absolute legend and a lovely, humble guy.
Apart from his incredible service, the part I will miss most is that every try that was scored while he was on the field, he was the FIRST to be at the celebration and congratulate whoever scored! Uncanny
The best I’ve ever seen in his position. Great lad too
GOAT. I'm very grateful for his mahi and service to our country and region.
I really like the way he always support his teammates ! He is the first one to congrats who score a try !
Aged like a fine wine! He really brought back his running game late in his career
Thank you for putting these highlights together! Aaron Smith is my favourite player. What a talent he possesses every skill in the book and is still to this day so underrated! Age is just a number when you are a professional of his calibre and I would love him to carry in playing international rugby as he’s still got it!
GOAT No 9. Remember the ABC of Smiths........Aaron, Ben and Conrad. Legend.
One of the best half back ever
The best ever No 9.
One of the best halfbacks in the world. When a number 9 comes into discussion, Aaron Smith's name would be mentioned.
The best ever No 9.
Greatest Of All Time! Legend! Hall of Famer! 🫡
Will really miss Aaron Smith rugby 😢
Mate it is so sad to see Aaron smith go. He will be missed by all of the all black players and supporters.
What a privilege to have been able to watch this fine player's career.
I am grateful to have witnessed him play 💪thanks for the memories 💯🙏🙏
Glad to have seen his whole Ab's career
Legend of the game
@02:57 sums him up - playing with joy and always supporting the team. Absolute legend! 🙏🏿
🐐 half back
My favourite part of Smith's career was the game against DuPont in the final, I've never seen dupont outplayed except for then (although the AB lost I still stand by that.)
Unreal rugby player and an icon
I agree with all your points and the way he snipped DuPont was clearly pre planned and made a statement that individual battles matter! One day rugby will look back and give him is he respect that he deserves as one if not the best 9 ever!
Fast,accurate,decisive that’s the Nug!
GOAT
Legend never die
Complete package, absolute champion
Smith and Carter combo in 2015 was scary
I think he's probably the best #9 we've seen
Dupont might surpass him if he plays good for another 5 years, and perhaps some other 9's in the past have been better relative to their era.
But Smith is probably the GOAT
one of my favourite players of all time and im not an all blacks fan, the greatest 9 of all time (until Dupont retires)
Gareth Edward’s is the greatest 9 of all time.
Smith, Greegan and Joost are next on the list. DuPont will no doubt be amoung them when he retires (and almost is already).
What a step
Best #9 ever. Legend!
No one compares to Nugget!
Best payer off wc2023 with savea
Savea, Mauvaka, Smith, Aki, Nche : five fantastics players !
@@larvlalo9773Pieter Steph du Toit????
@@tsaki_titan Yup but should have been red card against France. Had decent tournament and awesome final. not on par with this five players for me
@@larvlalo9773 red carded for what?
@@tsaki_titanwhat one decent game against 14 players lol
every video that has farrel in it youll see a high tackle
8:51 - if only that try counted 😑😫
I read somewhere that it should have... *sigh*
@@tiomiguel999 no one’s laughing so cut
@@JUÑ1ø-q2x I'm laughing so that's all that matters, but I may have mistaken your meaning - I thought you were being sarcastic? Are you an AB's supporter?
@@tiomiguel999 yeah, the game was close
goat 9?
12 minutes is not enough
Amazing 9... But Faf and Rinach kicks him every 2nd time
Not a competition👍🏻
Smith>Faf all day
I think it's horses for courses. I can't imagine Aaron Smith making the bokkes side. But I think he's much more valuable to the Abs than faf. I also don't know how faf would go in the abs.
I gained a lot of respect for faf in the final 5 minutes of the rwc final. 15 tackles with a charge down and ankel tap that were crucial momentum stoppers when the abs were back on attack
Aaron Smith should never lead the All Blacks haka he is too short and his haka voice is terrible even when he was shouting at his forwards in the scrums and rucks and mauls he reckons he's helping the forward pack players but he's not they know what they are doing and all the pain and physicality and mentality not the scrum half back.
Wish he was staying on
Include him in the toilet please.
If you're into watching men using the toilet maybe this video's not for you? Takatāpui!