Smith was a key part of the 27-24 win over the Crusaders at a packed Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night, which left the Highlanders as the only unbeaten New Zealand team after two rounds of the Super 15.
But it was not all smiles after the game as fullback Ben Smith suffered a nasty blow to the head and was forced off the field with concussion at halftime.
That was about the only down side for the Highlanders in a game where they created the lion's share of chances.
Aaron Smith said the stadium was a fantastic place to play in and it was hard to hear on the ground.
"We had trouble there, getting our calls heard. But we had a good calling system tonight, which really helped us," he said.
"I reckon it is worth another couple of men out there. It gives you another couple of minutes in the lungs hearing all those people yell. You really know they are on their side. If they throw a 50-50 pass, then they really get stuck in and they give you a real cheer if you throw a good pass."
Smith had a fine match, linking well with his forwards as they took on the Crusaders front eight.
"When you go against them you have to have an attacking mindset. They are the Crusaders who love the set piece, love grinding away at you. So we just wanted to play fast and put them off their set piece.
"Boys like Whopper [captain Jamie Mackintosh] and Horey [hooker Andrew Hore] really shined. Those big boys led the way."
Smith said he enjoyed the up-tempo game on Saturday night and the team was enjoying its second season together.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph was happy with the win, but sounded a note of caution.
"Everyone is a little bit subdued. I think they [the players] put in a big week of work and they had the confidence they could put out a good performance. Getting the prize at the end was really worthwhile," Joseph said.
"You have to attack Canterbury, or the Crusaders, if you want to win. They don't give you much, so you have to attack them. That was our plan and thankfully, it came off."
He praised his young inside backs, and the effort of the pack, and said the side was maturing, with some real depth being created.
"The team is coming together nicely. We had a pretty rough time in the pre-season but it is coming together nicely."
The players had gained trust with each other, Joseph said, and with that, it did not matter who he sent out on the field.
It had been a tumultuous week for Otago rugby, with the provincial union staring at liquidation, and Joseph said the big crowd at the match - 22,500 there - showed there was still a lot of interest in the game in Dunedin.
Smith would be assessed on his head knock this week, before the match against the Waratahs on Saturday night, again at the stadium, Prop Chris King had aggravated a groin injury.
But Joseph said there was some promising signs on the injury front with both winger Kade Poki and midfield back Shaun Treeby getting through training on Saturday.
All Black lock Jarrad Hoeata could be back in three weeks from his shoulder injury.
In other games at the weekend, the Hurricanes chalked up their first win, 30-28 away over the Lions, the Waratahs beat the Rebels 35-19 in Melbourne, and the defending champion Reds picked up their second win, 35-20 over the Force.
In South Africa, the Stormers beat the Sharks 15-12 in Cape Town while the Bulls were too powerful for the Cheetahs, winning 51-19 in Bloemfontein.
