Aaron Smith

Aaron Smith and Dan Carter named greatest All Blacks No 9 and 10

As part of Sky Sport’s quest to find New Zealand’s Greatest XV, a panel of leading journalists and broadcasters – Grant Nisbett, Ken Laban, Rikki Swannell and Phil Gifford – were last week asked by The Breakdown who they thought were the country’s best-ever halfback and first-five.

The panel were unanimous in their verdict that Smith, the current All Blacks No 9, and Carter, the two-time World Cup-winning No 10, were New Zealand’s greatest halves pairing.

Aaron Smith admits they didn't follow the game plan

Despite a 33-25 win in Bledisloe I, the All Blacks were put through an unflattering review on Monday, where players were held accountable for their mistakes.

However, Smith vowed the team's game managers wouldn’t repeat their tactical errors in Bledisloe II at Eden Park on Saturday.

“We had a plan around how we wanted to exit and get our forwards in the game early,” Smith told The Breakdown on Sky on Monday evening.

“But there was just so many opportunities. We fell into that trap of, ‘we could go on here, it’s hot here, we could do this’.

Smith earns All Blacks captaincy, will Fiji be any better than Tonga?

Smith will lead the All Blacks against Fiji in Dunedin on Saturday and the question is, will the Flying Fijians pose a bigger challenge than the under strength Tongans who overcame a mountain of obstacles just to field a team last week at Mt Smart?

The All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made 13 changes to his starting XV from the one that crushed Tonga and he said Smith deserves the right to captain the side against Fiji.

Aaron Smith returns as Highlanders look to secure Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final spot

With a place in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final on the line, the Highlanders have left no stone unturned as they have named a full-strength side to take on the Super Rugby AU runners-up at GIO Stadium on Friday.

In doing so, interim head coach Clarke Dermody has reinstated Smith into the No 9 jersey after the seasoned veteran was rested during last week’s 59-23 thumping of the Waratahs in Dunedin.

The 32-year-old takes the place of Kayne Hammington, who is demoted to the bench after celebrating his 50th appearance for the Highlanders against the Waratahs.

Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith heaps pressure on Reds: 'They've just won a comp'

Reds flanker Fraser McReight told Australian reporters this week the Reds were “sort of underdogs” based on the betting markets set by the bookies, but Smith was having none of that argument before the clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

“With the Reds, they’ve just won a comp so they can claim the underdog tag all they want,” Smith said. "They’re the best team in Australia and they are coming here.

“I’ve played plenty of Aussie teams saying that, ‘Oh, we are the underdogs’, but they don’t think that.

Aaron Smith says Super Rugby is still brutal

The Crusaders have lost mid-field back Jack Goodhue for the year, the Chiefs are without captain Same Cane long term because of a shoulder injury, while the Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea is out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.

Smith has again highlighted the intensity of the local competition which became a major talking point last year when Covid-19 forced the five New Zealand sides to play amongst themselves.

Aaron Smith ready to stick around for another four years

The Highlanders No 9 will start in Friday night's bronze medal match against Wales in Tokyo.

Smith will be 34 by the time the next World Cup rolls around.

But he said he had taken inspiration from the form of outgoing captain Kieran Read, who is currently 34 himself.

"It doesn't mean I'm going to make it like he did.

"But us halfbacks don't take as many knocks. The only challenge will be if I'm still there mentally and if I'm still quick enough.

All Blacks star Smith 'embarrassed'

Two-time defending champions New Zealand saw their unbeaten run at World Cups that stretched back to 2007 ended in convincing fashion by England.

Eddie Jones' ran out 19-7 winners in the semi-finals to consign the All Blacks to the bronze-medal match.

Scrum-half Smith was adamant the reverse was not for a lack of heart, though, as he compared the New Zealand dressing room to a funeral.

"I'm truly gutted and highly embarrassed," Smith said. "You've got family, friends texting you, but you know they're pretty gutted.

Smith recommits to NZ Rugby beyond RWC

The 30-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal.

Smith has been a mainstay in the national side since making his All Blacks debut in 2012, playing 82 tests - making him New Zealand's most capped number nine.

He's excited to confirm that his future would be in New Zealand.

"From my earliest playing days, my focus has always been about being passionate about the teams I play for and I've always enjoyed giving 100 percent to the teams I represent," Smith said.

Aaron Smith sex scandal: New Zealand Rugby launches new investigation

The messages appear to show Smith had convinced the woman he was caught in an airport toilet with last year to lie in a legal document, had mislead his coach, and had attempted to deceive his partner.

On Thursday, New Zealand Rugby confirmed to Newshub based on the new information, it's planning to "investigate the Aaron Smith matter further".

"It is effectively an employment issue that requires investigation," the spokesperson said.