Smith ‘would love’ to play the Super spoilsport

Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith is desperate for his side to beat the Brumbies tomorrow night and send his under-rated side into the Super Rugby Trans Tasman final.

Smith has been recalled to the No 9 jersey for the Highlanders’ tough road trip knowing full well that most of the country expects the so-called big two to meet in the decider, especially as the forecast wet conditions in Canberra makes it even harder for the Highlanders to pocket the bonus points they might need.

The size of the challenge isn’t lost on the All Black, but he says the southerners are well prepared for the task ahead.

‘‘We’re happy with where we’ve progressed from at the start of the year,’’ Smith said yesterday. ‘‘As a leader and a key player I’m really proud of our boys with how we’ve learnt to prepare and get consistency in our performances.

‘‘. . . the media and fans are all probably talking about wanting to see a Blues-Crusaders final, but I’m sure the Rebels aren’t looking to roll over, and I’m sure the Force aren’t looking to roll over on the Blues.

‘‘For me, I’d just love to get a win in Canberra, it’s very hard to play there. We’re just trying to control our fate, how we play, how we prepare.

Highlanders: Josh Ioane, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (cc), Kazuki Himeno, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Pari Pari Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes, Kayne Hammington, Sam Gilbert, Teariki Ben-Nicholas.

‘‘And if we ruin a few people’s ‘perfect dream’ of a BluesCrusaders final, I’d love nothing more than to do that.’’

On paper, the Highlanders have by far the toughest task of the top three Kiwi teams jostling for a place in the final.

The Blues are at home to the Western Force on Saturday, while the Crusaders will know exactly what they need to do when they play the Rebels in Sydney in the last game of the round.

Still, coach Clarke Dermody – who explained the selection of Hugh Renton at No 6 as a horses for courses selection against the rugged Brumbies – believes they can surprise a few people if they nail their game plan.

‘‘[The underdog status] is not something we’ve talked about, to be fair,’’ Dermody said.

‘‘It’s been around taking confidence in what we’ve grown into this year as a team.

‘‘It’s around taking confidence in the game we’ve built through Super Rugby Aotearoa and now against the Australian teams.

‘‘We’re going over with confidence.

‘‘We know that it’s going to be really hard but I feel that if we can execute our game, we won’t be far away.’’

Loosehead prop Ayden Johnstone is back on the pine after missing the Waratahs game with a foot injury, while the in-form Ethan de Groot keeps the No 1 jersey following his two-try effort last weekend.

Flanker Teariki Ben-Nicholas, who impressed last weekend with an excellent try off the back of a scrum, retains his place on the bench.