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It is hard to recall a single individual having as much influence on a Super Rugby final as All Black halfback Aaron Smith in the Highlanders’ 24-14 win against the Chiefs in Dunedin.
There was always much to like about this match from the start – a superb pitch, electric atmosphere and two teams willing to play aggressive, positive rugby.
A search of the dictionary couldn’t find a suitable adjective to do justice to Smith. In the end he was simply the difference between the two sides, setting up winger Waisake Naholo twice for tries with astonishing pace, footwork and purpose.
Smith also contributed that most rare beast, a coherent half-time interview in which he actually answered the interviewer’s question, correctly identifying that a slight change in tactics was required in order to play more in the attacking half – which he subsequently came out and initiated.
On form Naholo and Lima Sopoaga both deserve their selection in the wider All Black squad, although they also owe a debt of gratitude to the Forsyth Barr Stadium and Smith in assisting them to perform at their best.
The Chiefs were brave in defeat, none braver than young fullback Damien McKenzie who ran with daring and skill. But ultimately, they weren’t often enough able to engage the Highlanders pack into an attritional arm wrestle and to get Sonny Bill Williams involved enough on attack.
The game started ominously when TMO Aaron Paterson inexplicably ruled Naholo in touch in the act of offloading in the lead up to a thrilling try on the opposite wing by Patrick Osborne. Hardly a week goes by without a TMO howler and this one, coming in only the second minute, was most disappointing. Thankfully Paterson wasn’t sighted again and the result wasn’t affected.
Happily SANZAR also dodged a bullet after criticism of their decision to appoint referee Jaco Peyper to the second final came to nothing. What had seemed like tempting fate, akin to putting Rolf Harris in charge of a crèche, crossing fingers and hoping things turn out okay, was neutered by Peyper’s cool, accurate performance, allowing all focus to be on the rugby.
Of which, thankfully, there was plenty – mostly good from the Brumbies and mostly poor from the Stormers.
Winger Joe Tomane emphatically dominated the early stages with a classy hat-trick, benefitting from a tweak to the Brumbies’ game plan which saw them more willing to use the ball than in recent weeks.
None of this came at the expense of a solid forward effort, with Ita Vaea and David Pocock notably strong. Maligned halfback Nic White also had an excellent all-round match.
As good as the Brumbies were, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee must now be regretting his decision to play dead against the Cheetahs, his misfiring team making basic errors and repeating them over and over.
Four times in quick succession the Stormers kicked ahead when on attack, only to find White in cover to easily see each one dead.
Worse though was their dysfunctional lineout, with an incredible seven lost on their own throw. They simply afforded themselves no opportunity to build and sustain pressure on the Brumbies, particularly when the match was still there for the taking.
The Stormers’ ultimate humiliation however came at the death when, with 15 players against 13, they conspired to maul over the line from close range yet not force the ball, lose possession at the subsequent scrum, then get outflanked badly enough to allow Jesse Mogg to score in the corner. Incredible stuff.
Exempted from criticism is Damian de Allende, always a threat and outstanding in a beaten team. He is entitled to feel aggrieved at being largely left to fend for himself.
Thankfully the late red card shown to Henry Speight had no bearing on the match, nor did his clumsy tackle result in injury to Stormers centre Juan de Jongh. Recognising that there was no malice in the tackle, Peyper channelled an old schoolteacher of mine, Mr Gibbs, who always apologised profusely to his victims before going ahead and administering the cane regardless.
Despite the sympathy for Speight, it was the correct call and everybody, including Speight, knew it.
The third final came from Parma, Italy where New Zealand overcame a spirited England team to take out the Under 20 Rugby World Cup by 21-16.
Most pundits beforehand predicted a contrasting battle between a dominant England pack and a fleet-footed New Zealand backline, although smart preparation by both sides ensured that this never really came about.
England competed ferociously at the breakdown, creating a number of first half turnovers, and were also very organised in their backline defence, providing little space to the New Zealand flyers.
On the other hand, the New Zealand pack stood up manfully, achieving parity at scrum and never really being troubled by the England lineout, as many expected.
New Zealand halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi was a standout, covering the ground swiftly and rifling off accurate bullet passes from both hands, reminiscent of, dare I say it, one Aaron Smith.
In truth there were high quality players across the park on both sides, and we can surely expect many to flow through as full internationals in coming years. A word of concern however for Australia – in what has been a most enjoyable tournament, England, New Zealand and South Africa were once again a class above the rest in size, conditioning and teamwork.
With Australia also slightly off the pace in Sevens, another important development pathway, these programs need urgent attention lest the Wallabies be adversely affected in coming years.
Two mouthwatering Super Rugby semi-finals now await us, more of which will no doubt be written during the week. The Brumbies face a tough road trip to Wellington, but their confidence will soaring. Surely they will continue to back themselves to play positively against the Hurricances?
Certainly there will be no shortage of confidence in the Highlanders’ camp as they travel to Sydney. But will their transparent, high-speed game plan withstand the Waratahs’ organisation and physicality?
Shame we have a week to wait to find out. In the meantime, did I mention that Aaron Smith had a useful game this weekend?