- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Aaron Smith is the most valuable player in world rugby at this very moment.
In fact, I can confidently say that without him the All Blacks will struggle to win the World Cup.
For a very long time I have felt that there has been a large disparity between Aaron Smith and the next best halfback in New Zealand rugby. But after watching the All Blacks in Apia, I have had a slight change of heart.
While it may seem farcical to compare another player to the best player in the world at their position, in this case it is relevant; if World Cup rugby has taught us anything, it is that injuries happen. And they can happen when you least expect them.
Take a look at the 2011 All Blacks. Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Colin Slade were all injured and up steps the All Blacks’ fourth choice at the position. Fourth! So there is a very real chance the All Blacks could lose some of their stars; their most valuable being Aaron Smith.
If that happens, the only player who can step up and somewhat fill the shoes of Manawatu’s prodigy is Brad Weber.
Weber is the only halfback in New Zealand who can compete with Smith’s pass. What’s more, he runs with a type of electricity that very few players, let alone halfbacks, possess. He is quick to the breakdown, a gritty defender, and a ferocious voice who fires up his forward pack. Remind you of another All Black?
By his own admission, Weber has modelled his game off Smith’s, telling Stuff.co.nz, “For a few years they were going for the big, physical halfbacks, so it was inspiring for me to see a guy of my size and style crack it and play really well. I try to model myself on Aaron as much as I can.”
For me there is also a touch of bias for Weber. As a 13-year-old I watched him, in his last year of school, captain my school’s first XV. When I watched him run out in that All Blacks jersey for the first time, I felt like that same young boy again.
I still remember sitting on the bleachers at Palmerston North Boys’ High School in 2009 and watching Brad and the rest of the Napier Boys’ High first XV win the coveted Polson Banner in a thrilling fashion. To this day, it is still one of the greatest rugby matches I have ever seen.
Weber is the embodiment of tenacity. Labeled too small and treated as a backup for years, he kept playing, and he kept fighting. Now the day has come. He has been given his chance.
He should be the backup halfback come World Cup time. He’s sharp, hungry and has an aptitude for handling doubters and pressure.
If Aaron Smith goes down, Brad Weber is the next best thing.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.