He came off the worse last time but Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps says he relishes his looming clash with All Blacks livewire Aaron Smith.
The two halfbacks will battle it out again in Saturday night’s Rugby Championship decider at ANZ Stadium which doubles as the first of two Bledisloe Cup Tests.
“He’s always good to play against. We always find each other on the field and I really enjoy playing against Aaron,” Phipps said on Wednesday.
“He’s such a good a good competitor and he always lifts my game.”
Phipps knows better than most how lethal Smith is, having been on the end of a masterclass from the classy little New Zealander in the Highlanders’ Super Rugby semi-final win over the NSW Waratahs in June.
“They dusted us off well and truly and he had a great game as well. He was instrumental in that and if he brings that sort of form to the All Blacks,” Phipps said.
“He’s going to be great around the field, he’s a livewire and a lot spark from the team comes through him.
“We’re going to have to put a lot of work around our ruck defence and watching him very carefully.”
Whatever happens against the All Blacks, Phipps said coach Michael Cheika would ensure a big focus was on the Wallabies being physical whenever possible.
“We want to make sure that no matter what the score is or what the result is, we want to bring that Aussie spirit to the game … that’s not taking a backward step and leading in the physicality stakes,” he said.
“We want to put in those efforts that stops the momentum of teams.
“We are going to be trying to bring that physicality as any team under Cheik will be.
“Once we have that physicality and that never give up attitude, the body-on-the-line stuff for your teammates, then you can start to fine tune things.”
Tiger
Guest
Grow up mate. You don't want to be playing that game. Just stick to the rugby...
Dean
Guest
Yes, the All Blacks are admirably restrained with their on field talk. They leave all the talking to their obnoxious fans. How ironic that the people who love the All Blacks the most are the ones with so few character traits in common with them.
Grahame
Guest
I wish players like Nick Phipps would leave the talking to the field -and even there he talks too much. We don't hear the All Blacks mouthing off like this, Twittering incessantly, before the game. Let the game speak for itself.
Jameswm
Guest
Foley and Giteau - no big backrowers to cover. I don't like the look of that. Or Mumm starting - will this depower our scrum? Small at lock, small at back row, small at midfield. Almost an experimental team.
Jameswm
Guest
My recollection is whilst the Highlanders played well, ASmith was ordinary and Phipps pestered him very well. Phipps might not have had a great attacking game that day, but he had a good defensive one.
Playmaker
Guest
If this is the team , the ABs will out muscle the Wallabies in the tight and Pocock and Hooper will need to commit to the tight stuff, negating their desired role of fetching . The midfield could be a massacre.
moaman
Guest
Looks quite a strong bench----and I think it needs to be.The AB bench looks capable of upping the ante.
Ads
Guest
There is leaks of the following as team Aus 1.Scott Sio 2. Stephen Moore (c) 3. Sekope Kepu 4. James Horwill 5. Dean Mumm 6. Scott Fardy 7. Michael Hooper 8. David Pocock 9. Nick Phipps 10. Bernard Foley 11. Drew Mitchell 12. Matt Giteau 13. Tevita Kuridrani 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper 15. Isreal Folau Reserves White McCalman Polota nau Slipper Toomua Holmes Skelton Beale
Kane
Roar Guru
The same big forwards that took matters into their own hands in the S15 semi?
Playmaker
Guest
With Romano , Kaino and the usual front row , the physical stuff is covered..Palu better be fit and ready or he will be the tackle bag with a big red X on it.
Marty
Guest
That looks likely, Cane needs some time on the paddock and Richie rarely relinquishes his position and stays on to captain to the end.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Hello Mr Citing Official, we are the Australian forwards & intend taking things into our own hands.
DaveM2
Guest
ohh - that will be scary NOT
moaman
Guest
Going to be hard to spot you then. Think this promises to be a very physical encounter. Was facinated to read in the paper this morning that Savea had not been 'rested' as I presumed: rather the AB trainers had been putting him through the grinder due to his 'sub-standard' fitness at the end of Super rugby. Apparently he had been a little lax with his eating habits and Hansen & co were unimpressed.Savea will be out to redeem himself the next two games. Smith at 15 and N M-S on the wing will be interesting to watch in tandem.A luxury to be able to rest Piutau and bring in someone of MS's calibre. I will be keeping an eye on Romano too and Kaino.I think Romano's inclusion signals a degree of intent to take on the Wallabies up front.That augurs well for a tough match! Some good young ones on the bench too to inject some vigour.
Davo
Guest
If the ref allows Aaron Smith to be constantly offside like Joubert did in the S15 semi, our big forwards will need to take matters into their own hands.
Council
Guest
That's a strong looking side, stoked to see Skuds getting his debut! Gonna be an epic game, though I'll have to record and watch it delayed, I'll be turning my phone off and giving hostile looks to anyome who thinks of mentioning the score to me.
MJB
Guest
Wow, that's a mighty team. Good luck Australia, you'll need it.
Crash Ball2
Guest
Scary looking team sheet. I too like the exciting inclusion of NMS in the run on side - in concert with caps, experience and two-way danger right across the park. Awesome AB side. Can't wait to see the haka at ANZ. Keep an eye out for me on tele: I'll be the bloke in the crowd with the slightly fearful look and his fingers crossed; wearing gold.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Cracking side. Richie moving to 6 in the second half or will he be rested? I'm thinking the former.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes good side, Piutau and Faumuina didnt travel and Nonus injured. Biggish call debuting NMS in a final but we are used to that with Hansen, and he has all the experience he needs around him. Love it when new caps get to show what they can do on the big stage. Hansen wants as much AB experience as possible from those up to the job, and NMS has earned the chance. Great bench with the two newbies, supersub Barrett and Cane gets eased back to work. Can't argue with the side...