"The GOAT" - All Blacks star Aaron Smith names his all-time dream team
Rugby NewsTuesday, 09 May 2023 at 11:37
Aaron Smith's dream team of players he’s played with or against could compete with any team from any generation of rugby.
One of the premier halfbacks of the modern game, Smith ignites backlines with his bullet-like pass, which is widely regarded as one of the best in world rugby, while reinforcing defensive lines with a crunching tackle.
In 2008, Smith was part of the New Zealand Under 20 side which claimed the Junior World Championship in Wales and in 2010, the Ngati Kahungunu-affiliated Smith made his Māori All Blacks debut.
Smith quickly established himself as the All Blacks’ first-choice halfback amidst fierce competition, playing 13 Tests in his debut season in 2012. He missed just one Test match in 2017 and became the most capped All Blacks halfback of all time at 82 Tests in 2018.
A Super Rugby champion with the Highlanders in 2015, in 2014 Smith was recognised with the Tom French Memorial Trophy for the Māori Player of the Year for his performances with both the All Blacks and the Highlanders.
Smith captained the All Blacks for the first time in a Test match against Fiji in Dunedin in July 2021. He also brought up his 100th Test for the All Blacks in the same year, against Australia at Eden Park.
Speaking to SA Rugby Mag, the All Black legend selected his 'perfect XV'.
BACK-THREE:
15 Ben Smith: Mr Calm. Fearless in attack and defence and massive work rate.
14 Shane Williams : Speed kills and add his foot work! Changed the game.
11 Jonah Lomu : A superstar. And what he did at the 1995 World Cup no one will forget.
CENTRES:
13 Brian O’Driscoll: Just had it all! Speed, power, vision.
12 Ma’a Nonu: The complete 12. Power mixed with skill. Big-game player.
HALFBACKS:
10 Dan Carter: The perfect 10.
9 Fourie du Preez: My favourite player growing up. Best halfback of all time.
FRONT-ROW
1 Tony Woodcock: World-class prop, could do it all.
2 Bismarck du Plessis: Beast! Could ball-carry, offload, big hits and jackal.
3 Carl Hayman: Big man who moved well and owned the set piece.
SECOND-ROW
4 Victor Matfield: Lineout guru, good ball-carrier and leadership.
5 Brodie Retallick: Tough, competes for everything. High skill player with massive rugby IQ. Deadly mix.
BACK-ROW
6 Thierry Dusautoir: Tough, strong and a beast over the ball.
England's, Toby Flood fall short of the try line and is taken off the field after France's, Thierry Dusautoir landed on him - Photo mandatory by-line: Jan Kruger / Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile: 0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 150309 - SPORT - RUGBY - RBS 6 NATIONS - England v France - Twickenham
7 Richie McCaw: The GOAT.
8 Duane Vermeulen: His nickname is Thor. Enough said!
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading