Aaron Smith's All Blacks Debut

Aaron Smith's All Blacks Debut.
New Zealand vs Ireland. 9th June 2012. Eden Park, Auckland.
42-10

[@AK-wc9rl]

I think that 2012 ABs backline was NZ's best backline ever. Not referring to the one that started in this match, but the regular backline in 2012 which was made up of Dagg, Jane, Nonu, Conrad Smith, Savea/ Ben Smith, Carter and Aaron Smith. The 96/97 one was more dynamic with Wilson, Lomu and Cullen in it but having Aaron Smith in this one tips it for me. He's the fastest clearer of the ball I have ever seen and gives his no 10 an extra split second to work with.

[@juniorjaybrown7465]

I agree with you on that. I reckon Aaron Smith would be the greatest half back in All Blacks history apart from Piri Weepu. but i think the times are totally different and the speed of the game between the 2 era's are different. Rugby has evolved from 96/97 to what it is now. I mean look at the pace of the game now, in the AB's you definitely need a half back like Aaron Smith controlling the game plan out there on the field now days especially with the speed of the game now days. and right now, I still believe that AB's still need Aaron Smith.

[@zacharystone8817]

best 9 this past decade, maybe even of all time

[@sitoirelesuppotdesatan8411]

Not anymore here is Antoine Dupont

[@zacharystone8817]

@@sitoirelesuppotdesatan8411 1 year being good does not take over 10 years of excellence

[@finlaing795]

@@zacharystone8817 it does in this case

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@finlaing795 but it doesn't lol, dupont's overrated

[@Tokoa144]

Today.. I think Aaron is the most valuable All Black

[@ravindukarunarathne507]

The commentators were convinced he has something remarkable ahead of his debut and look where he is now.

[@MomotaroNiwa]

Favourite player. Thank you for making this :)

[@manuelepetelo7753]

What a legend!

[@AaronSmith-wz7hg]

waiting for long time！

[@jameskt9478]

Said the cleaner outside the airport toilet.....😉

[@AaronSmith-wz7hg]

James KT I want to turn away from that fact😅

[@jameskt9478]

And thus shows the quality of a good leader. 👍

[@ananaiasanasau8449]

The best halfback in the world @Aaron Smith

[@AaronSmith-wz7hg]

Ananaiasa Nasau Exactly！

[@Sobrilicious]

Best number 9 ever!

[@OnlyTrustTheGovernment]

Fourie Du Preez disagrees

[@diggyzeus186]

Alex who

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@diggyzeus186 flourie du preez, played for boks but i rekon smith has passed him

[@diggyzeus186]

@@toiletsmithy3630 hell no maybe passing yeah maybe. Everywhere else du preez was better.

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@diggyzeus186 i rekon he had passed him. du preez was a better tactical kicker, sniper and overall game. did have an incredible passing game, but achievements and career wise. fourie du preez peaked at the middle of their rwc campaign, aaron smith peaked during their 2015 rwc campaign and completely put the all blacks on their back in the springbok game. he was incredibly consistent and have identical achievements to du preez. more rugby championship, identical world cups, i do believe du preez shouldve won player of the yr from 2007 and 2009. it's a difficult choice, but let's compare experience. smith always turns up when you want him too. fourie du preez, he relied his game around tactical kicking and sniping. boks relied their gameplan around a tactical 9, that's why they produce great 9's with ease. that's pretty much the all blacks, but their tactical kicker is at 10. that's why they produce the best 10's in history. it's hard to compare, fourie du preez is given more involvement and more keys to the team due to 9 being a bigger role under their system. but aaron smith makes just as much of an impact. if he wins his 2nd wc, he's no doubt higher than du preez. id say du preez would always be the better ovr and balance player, but as a great player. you'd go smith, martin johnson wasn't the best player. but the greatness of his achievements ranks himself incredibly high.

[@rapid1010]

This was Julian Savea's test debut too!

[@abdulmuhaimin2969]

This also my test debut for all black

[@rapid1010]

@Luisa Waqa check your facts before commenting

[@cameronb19]

That was my 1st ever match at eden park and watching it at a stadium for all blacks!

[@avebac1]

ABs lacked a half back with speed and accuracy for years until Aaron smith. Weve always had big strong but slow half backs justin Marshall, byron kellohar and piri weepu

[@AK-wc9rl]

True, although Graham Bachop was good. It's a shame he didn't stick around after 95.

[@terencefranssen1057]

U call Byron Kelleher a slow halfback? 🤔🤨

[@kiwishamoo6494]

10 years later, still going strong :-)

[@shaunhendricks8675]

Wonderful 😌

[@j.psensational6860]

He still looks the same

[@flash-wolfie5058]

Could you do Morné Styn?

[@candycain2327]

Just be goalicking wouldnt it

[@wadesharp11]

Candy Cain 🤣🤣

[@terryevans2265]

Little General.

[@samkinnaird-barr8763]

jonathan davies ?

[@gabereal917]

Why are there likes disabled lol