‘Aaron Smith factor’ A Must
We watched the ‘Aaron Smith’ factor at work during the Highlanders 27-24 win over the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, in a sell-out crowd at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, last Saturday.
The 102-Test All Blacks veteran, controlled the game for the Highlanders from his halfback position. He never panicked when they were 21-10 down at one stage of the first half.
Smith kept his composure and ensured that they stuck to the game play and their structure.
He delayed his passes and slowed the game down when Drua went into the overdrive. He varied his game and delivered fast balls to create an overlap, which led to their first try.
His overhead kicks drove the Fijians back inside their territory.
This was how the Highlanders dominated the second half and managed to score 10 unanswered points to grab the win.
Smith combined well with first half eight Mitch Hunt who was spot on with his conversions and penalty attempts.
Tomorrow, against the Hurricanes, the Fijians are going to face halfback TJ Perenara, who holds the key in all their moves.
Apart from them, there are the likes of Richie Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett, James O’Connor, Nic
White, Brad Webber who play a much similar role for their teams in Super Rugby.
Even Moana Pasifika head coach, Aaron Mauger turned to veteran Christian Leali’ifano to wave the magic wand for them.
These are a special breed of players who could determine the outcome of a match.
That was why former All Blacks star back turned TV commentator Jeff Wilson downplayed Waratahs 24-21 upset win over the Crusaders by indicating that it was because Mo’unga did not play.
The Drua desperately need someone in the backline of that pedigree.
Right now, Teti Tela, Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz, Simi Kuruvoli and Peni Matawalu are showing glimpse of it but is yet to get there. Probably, it will come with experience.
At the 2007 Rugby World Cup captain and halfback Mosese Rauluni showed how it was done when he combined with No.10 Nicky Little and second five-eight Seremaia Bai.
They ran the backline and marshalled our defence as we beat Sir John Kirwan- coached Japan side, Canada and Wales to qualify for the quarterfinals. There, they also took eventual RWC winners South Africa to the wire.
The Drua have got one of most dangerous backlines in the Super Rugby comp but what we need is for that player who has the ‘Aaron Smith’ factor to control and direct the way we play to keep the oppositions guessing.
So let’s take a look at the players we’ve have and those we should consider.
DRUA POOL Teti Tela:
He is an experienced backline player and is calling the shots from his No.10 spot. Tela is yet to stamp his mark on the role and show that he is in-charge.
Caleb Muntz: He is a good organiser in the backline but needs more game time. A thinking players. Steady when under pressure, passes well, got good kicking skills and a fearless defender.
Kitione Taliga: Good kicking
game and has the vision to set-up play. Ability to handle pressure and should be given more game time at first five-eight.
Peni Matawalu: Combines well with Muntz. It was their combination that resulted in the Drua’s only Super Rugby win against the Rebels. But again, they need time to build on their partnership.
Frank Lomani: He was our best bet to take ownership of that role since he had 25 Super Rugby matches under his belt when he came to join the team. But he is yet to show that.
Simi Kuruvoli: He could play at either No.9 or at No.10. A talented player who has got what it takes to become our backline general but needs to gain more experience.
OUTSIDE CHOICES
Nikola Matawalu: He’s in the twilight of his career and is one of our experienced utility backs.
A matured player who commands the respect of the forwards and backs as well. Nikola had a colourful career with Glasgow Warriors and is now playing Montauban, a
second division club in France.
Vatemo Ravouvou: The playmaker of our winning gold medal team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ravouvou showed his class at No.10 for Nadi, when he joined them during their 2020 Skipper Cup.
He called the shots for his spot and guided Nadi to win the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy against Namosi in 2020.
Ravouvou communicated with his forwards and backs as controlled the game.
He was superb with this place kicks and opened up the game as they came from behind to beat holders Namosi 22-21. Namosi fielded Peni Matawalu, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Onisi Ratave in that challenge match.
Ravouvou played for the Western Sydney Rams in the Australia National Rugby Championship and also for Utah Warriors in the American Major League Rugby.
Now, he has joined the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s training squad under head coach Ben Gollings.