Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith is desperate for his side to beat the Brumbies on Friday night and send his underrated side into the Super Rugby Trans Tasman final. .
Smith has been recalled to the No 9 jersey for the Highlanders tough road trip knowing full well that most of the country expects the so-called big two to meet in the decider, especially as the forecast wet conditions in Canberra makes it even harder for the Highlanders to pocket the bonus points they might need.
Aaron Smiths experience will be critical against the Brumbies.
The size of the challenge isnt lost on the All Black, but he says the southerners are well prepared for the task ahead.
We’re happy with where weve progressed from at the start of the year, Smith said on Wednesday. As a leader and a key player Im really proud of our boys with how weve learnt to prepare and get consistency in our performances.
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… the media and fans are all probably talking about wanting to see a Blues-Crusaders final, but Im sure the Rebels arent looking to roll over, and Im sure the Force arent looking to roll over on the Blues.
For me, Id just love to get a win in Canberra, it’s very hard to play there. We’re just trying to control our fate, how we play, how we prepare.
And if we ruin a few people’s perfect dream of a Blues-Crusaders final, I’d love nothing more than to do that.
On paper, the Highlanders have by far the toughest task of the top three Kiwi teams jostling for a place in the final.
The Blues are at home to the Western Force on Saturday, while the Crusaders will know exactly what they need to do when they play the Rebels in Sydney in the last game of the round.
Still, coach Clarke Dermody who explained the selection of Hugh Renton at No 6 as horses for courses selection against the rugged Brumbies believes they can surprise a few people if they nail their game plan.
Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody says, were going over with confidence.
[The underdog status] is not something weve talked about, to be fair, Dermody said on Wednesday. Its been around taking confidence in what weve grown into this year as a team.
Its around taking confidence in the game weve built through Super Rugby Aotearoa and now against the Australian teams.
Were going over with confidence. We know that its going to be really hard but I feel that if we can execute our game, we won’t be far away.
Loosehead prop Ayden Johnstone is back on the pine after missing the Waratahs game with a foot injury, while the in-form Ethan de Groot keeps the No 1 jersey following his two-try effort.
Flanker Teariki Ben-Nicholas, who impressed last weekend with an excellent try off the back of a scrum, retains his place on the bench.
Ben-Nicholas late try helped the Highlanders to beat the Brumbies in their previous trip to Canberra, a 23-22 victory in February 2020, although a win of that nature might not be enough to secure a play in the Super Rugby Trans Tasman final.
The wintry conditions in Canberra this week add to the challenge, but Smith said the Highlanders had done as much preparation as possible to handle whatever the elements might throw at them.
Weve got to be real, were going to Canberra and its a tough place to play, he said.
The wet conditions are probably were not used to at the Highlanders these days. Its been something that weve tried to prepare for, trying outside all week, with wet balls, getting ready for that kind of stuff.
Were going out there trying to build on the momentum weve built in the last four weeks. Were in good spirits. Weve got good energy.
Were just really trying to drive home, respect the oppostion, and give it our best shot.
Highlanders: Josh Ioane, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (cc), Kazuki Himeno, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Pari Pari Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes, Kayne Hammington, Sam Gilbert, Teariki Ben-Nicholas