Smith Is Here

The world’s best half­back in rugby, Aar­on Smith, is in Suva to lead the Highlanders against the Swire Ship­ping Fijian Drua in Sat­urday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash at the ANZ Stadium, Suva. With 102 All Blacks Test caps and 169 Su­per Rugby matches under his belt, Smith was directing play during their morn­ing training session at Suva’s Albert Park yesterday.

With Smith’s presence, the pres­sure is on Drua halfbacks Simi­one Kuruvoli, Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu and Leone Nawai to lift their performance.

In a nutshell, Matawalu has been the in-form No.9, Lomani hasn’t been consistent, Nawai got his first start last week while Kuruvoli has stepped-up to play first five eighth.

Smith’s training stats during training was an eye-opener as he managed and controlled the pace of the Highlanders’ attack and de­fence.

Smith was accompanied by up­coming No.8 Marino Mikaele- Tu’u.

The duo missed the Brumbies clash in Melbourne. Smith was recovering from COVID-19 while Mikaele-Tu’u was given a week off to get fit after tweaking a hamstring against the Hurricanes.

Highlanders’ assistant coach Clarke Dermody said they wel­comed the additions as they pre­pared for the game.

“It’s going to be a different chal­lenge. Facing the Drua in Fiji will be awesome. It’s their first one at home this year, so I think we can ex­pect it to be pretty hostile, and the crowd will be pumping,” Dermody told Otago Daily Times.

Kuruvoli and Lomani are the only Fijian halfbacks to have played against Smith. The Fijian Drua will name their Match 23 squad today.

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