From apprentice hairdresser to All Blacks

Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith
Less than two years ago, Aaron Smith was not even a professional rugby player - he cut and blow-dried hair in his time away from the paddock.

Yesterday, Smith (23) was named in the first All Black squad of the season, one of six Highlanders picked.

This is the highest number of Highlanders in an All Black squad since 2001.

Along with Smith, other Highlanders selected are winger Hosea Gear, fullback Ben Smith, centre Tamati Ellison, flanker Adam Thomson and hooker Andrew Hore.

Aaron Smith is one of seven newcomers in the squad, and his selection continues a swift rise through the professional ranks.

He stood out for New Zealand Maori in 2010, while still just a provincial player, and when Maori coach Jamie Joseph headed south to coach the Highlanders, Smith quickly followed.

Last season, he challenged without quite usurping Jimmy Cowan as the Highlanders starting halfback but this year has been different.

Cowan started the first game but was yanked at halftime for Smith, and the man known as "Nugget" has been pretty much the Highlanders' starting No 9 since.

Now he gets an opportunity to wear an All Black jersey.

"I had a fight on my hands each week with the Highlanders and it did not kick in until I got to those camps and thinking maybe I could get a shot here," Smith said yesterday.

"It is still kicking in now, rubbing shoulders with the guys I have looked up to since I was younger, so it is still very buzzy to wear this top and have this emblem on your chest.

"I am pretty proud and hope to wear it a bit more."

Smith, who comes from Feilding and still plays provincial rugby for Manawatu, started a hairdressing apprenticeship before his rugby career took over.

He has impressed this season with quick and accurate passing and speed off the mark, and is likely to start against the Irish in the first test of the year in Auckland on Saturday night.

Thomson is in his fifth year of wearing the All Black jersey, and gets a chance to start, with Jerome Kaino out injured.

Ben Smith is picked after an outstanding season, heading off a log jam of talent in the outside backs, while veteran Hore continues in the side, seeing off younger challengers.

Ellison played just one test for the All Blacks in 2009, before he left to play in Japan for two years.

Enticed back to New Zealand by Joseph to play for the Highlanders, Ellison has shown his class in the competition this season, and his utility value should see him on the All Black bench on Saturday night.

Gear also headed south to join Joseph and gets a call into the national side after injuries ruled out Cory Jane and Richard Kahui.

 

 

 

Add a Comment