‘Simply wish to win’: Aaron Smith downplays milestone forward of must-win conflict

All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith will run out onto Forsyth Barr Stadium for the final time tonight in Highlanders colors once they tackle the Queensland Reds.

When his enjoying days are over, Smith will probably be revered as in all probability the best participant in Highlanders historical past.

Even at Check stage, Smith’s worldwide CV is nothing wanting masterful – and can see him mentioned alongside the likes of Richie McCaw, Colin Meades and Dan Carter as an All Blacks legend.

Whereas the tip is in sight for Aaron Smith in Aotearoa, there are nonetheless some momentous milestones that will probably be each celebrated and loved by the New Zealand Rugby public.

Having performed greater than 180 appearances for the Highlanders – which has seen him develop into the most-capped participant in franchise historical past – Smith will play his last dwelling sport in spherical 14.

The importance of the event provides to an already unmissable trans-Tasman derby between two groups wanting to safe finals soccer.

At present sitting in ninth-place on the Tremendous Rugby Pacific standings, the Highlanders may mathematically be eradicated from the playoffs this weekend.

Or, they’ll bounce into the highest eight.

Forward of his last dwelling sport in Highlanders colors, Smith stated that each one he desires is to win on Friday evening.

“It’s been nice to look again (and) assume again however yeah as a footy participant you’ve acquired preserve your head locked in for what’s to return,” Smith instructed SENZ’s The Run Dwelling.

“We’ve acquired the Reds coming and we have to win, so I’m actually enthusiastic about that problem.

“I’ve acquired a heap of household and associates coming down, (I) love stress and it’s all driving on this sport for us which is superior.

“We’ve acquired an opportunity this week to try to get a win and get within the playoffs and try to go as much as Hamilton and stir it up however we’ve acquired to win first and that’s all we’re fascinated with.

“With all of the hoopla round my final sport, I simply wish to win on Friday evening.”

Smith must be thought of a certainty for the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad later this yr.

Whereas there are some world-class halfbacks in New Zealand, together with a number of rising stars, there are merely none higher than Aaron Smith.

Smith has been a mainstay of the All Blacks for a lot of years now – which included a begin within the semi-final loss to England in 2019.

The halfback hasn’t forgotten that fateful day in Yokohama. In actual fact, the 34-year-old has nonetheless acquired “unhealthy blood” from that conflict – and is keen to make amends in France.

“The objectives are going good to date this yr,” he added.

“Having targets after which making the playoffs is certainly the one after which within the black jersey it’s simply (to) make the crew in a month’s time or each time it’s named.

“The dream from once we misplaced to England (within the 2019 semi-final) and once we acquired dwelling I set that aim, ‘I wish to go to a few World Cups,’ so I wish to be there first.

“That may be fairly particular and I simply wish to give myself the most effective probability to try this and that’s why positively it began actually early.

“That carrot on the finish of the yr’s so massive and it simply makes it a lot enjoyable to try to play laborious and get your physique match and prepare for it.

“I’ve been to 2 and received one, misplaced one and (I’ve) nonetheless go that unhealthy blood from 2019 however that was our fault and I’d love nothing greater than a crack at a World Cup in France and I’d like to be at that sport one versus France in Paris.

“That’s the aim, is to be there and what occurs on the World Cup will occur, however I’d identical to to make that first squad first.”