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.
Kiwi
Guest
Too soon for Weber, maybe the next world cup though as the raw talent is definitely there. TJP knows the ABs set up and the coaches value that seemingly more than form and the likes. I'm not a huge TJP fan as he's susceptible to the odd brain explosion, especially penalties in his own half for some reason, but thankfully the good seems to be outweighing the bad ATM.
Not Bothered
Guest
No, Hoopers "a glorified centre", Phipps is "mediocre at best", Giteau was "past it" 4 years ago, the Wallabies cant win with Foley and NZ will struggle to win without Smith. A 7 must be different to some international 7s, wingers need to be faster than Folau. Its all true.
Sylvester
Guest
I'm still picking Ellis to edge TKB for 3rd halfback, unless the latter gets some extended game time in the next few weeks. Ellis might not have the speediest of passes but that was never a massive disadvantage in the 100-odd combined tests of Weepu and Cowan. He's got the experience and nous you'd want if Smith goes down at the WC.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Apologies "Webber" s/be Weber
Vadar
Guest
One of the reasons why the Chiefs did not make the Grand Final is probably the headless chook decisions by Mackenzie and Weber to run when they should pass and pass when they should run.
Mark
Guest
In fact, I can confidently say that without him the All Blacks will struggle to win the World Cup. I stopped reading after that What a completely moronic statement! If The Roar wants to encourage polite debate then stop allowing any bloody idiot to write complete and utter tosh Just because someone is entitled to an opinion doesn't mean it needs to be shared and isn't complete and utter bollocks!
atlas
Guest
Don't know if he'll be in the Taranaki ITM squad, think announced next week, and may be grabbed for a Super extended player squad position in 2016
atlas
Guest
One of Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi's 2015 goals was to help his team New Plymouth Old Boys to win the Taranaki premiership club final. Due to the Barbarians selection his team will have to do it without him, as the final is Saturday afternoon. Their opponents, current titleholders Inglewood, had a tough semifinal last week. 120 minutes played, extra time then golden point, and won from an intercept, charged down drop goal and 70m sprint for an Inglewood player. Good test of fitness, an extra half of rugby.Last season Taranaki won their ITM Cup semi in 100 min v Auckland, something teams must dread but need to prepare for.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Well said Atlas, this guy is the most like Smith of all of them. Very talented, very fast and a great prospect. Looking forward to seeing him in super rugby. This kind of talk about Weber is way premature. Perenara has been outstanding this year, he's always had the raw talent, and now is adding maturity to it. Kerr-Barlow will be given another opportunity, Hansen is loyal and won't give up easily on his development projects. If he isn't fit or ready then sure Weber will come into consideration for the 3rd spot with Ellis. That would be a tough call and that's just how it should be.
atlas
Guest
And for the future, this year's NZ U20 halfback Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, playing for NZ Barbarians v Maori ABs this Saturday
Not Bothered
Guest
A.Smith TJP TKB Ellis Pulu/Webber imo
Old Bugger
Guest
BW's time will come but not in this RWC unless some major form issues strike either of the incumbents. Then it becomes a coin toss between him and Ellis based upon the game plan, the ABs choose.
Gonzo
Guest
The talk on Weber is premature. He is a good talent, but its improbable that he will travel to the WC. I have the HBs in the following order: 1. Smith (obvious reasons/ speed/ rugby IQ) 2. Perenara (speed/ high workrate/ broken play nous) 3. Kerr-Barlow (toughness/ defence/ high rate) 4. Ellis (game manager/ box kicks/ clutch) / Pulu (speed/ defence/ broken play nous)
marto
Guest
After Aaron Smith their really isn`t anybody good enough. As an aussie A Smith B Smith C Smith are the 3 players the the AB`S do not want long term injuries to...If you lose any two of those blokes. You wont win the RWC....
Phantom
Roar Rookie
For me I want to see some plan B type players selected. Call them impact if you want but when the A game doesn't work then we need the bench to be able to change the way the game is being played. (Remember 2007 in Cardiff). Smith is great, TJP will also be there playing a similar type of game. I would like to see a left field Weepu type player. Who that is I don't know. Failing that then TKB would be my pick.
Chuck
Guest
Webber time will come, if he keeps up with.the good form he playing Hansan has flicked the light on for him .
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Oliver, good raps on Webber, and he has to be a smokey to make the final 31 squad for RWC. There is no doubt in my mind Aaron Smith is ahead by a margin though some of his play over the S15 semi and final was error ridden and seems to be giving away a few too many penalties at the moment. TJP is starting to realise the enormous potential he showed before the leg injury which suspended his career, but he is a smart player and his credential are excellent. He will be the back up to A Smith (1st drop if you like) Then we have Kerr-Barlow, whose career was also stymied by injury. Probably the most robust of halfbacks on display and whose defence would be to his favour but he does not have too many chances to show the selectors his form will warrant a ticket to ride. I think he will face challenges from Webber for the "third spot". Brad Webber took his chances when Augustine Pulu didn't grab his opportunities in the manner he would have like when given first chance to replace TKB. Not this year but I would not be surprised to see Pulu back in the frame from 2016 onwards, with a bit more maturity and rugby smarts, he is too good a player to cast aside in my view.
BBA
Guest
Agree, the AB's cant base their game solely around one player and one style. Fast ball may not happen in the NH no matter the reason why. Got to be prepared for other options if one option is being denied.
Highlander
Guest
TJP has made massive improvements in his game management this year, and now picks his time to run so much better than in the past, am a big fan of Weber, but the claims of others suggests he has longer to wait.
rarojuice
Guest
The problem is the all black game is based around the speed of Aaron smiths pass. They commit few numbers to the breakdown as the ball can be recycled fast and spat out quick with Smith in halfback. It becomes telling with players who don't carry the same speed that the whole all black team becomes a lot more dysfunctional. Take for example the Samoan game with Ellis in there.