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Waisake Naholo dots down a try for the champions. Photosport/Dianne Manson/INPHO
pulling strings

It's not all magic in Super Rugby, but awesome Aaron Smith proves he's still the best around

The All Black scrum-half was in devastating form against the Crusaders yesterday.

WITH DEFEATS TO the Blues, Reds and Sharks on the board by the ninth weekend of Super Rugby, it hasn’t exactly been plain sailing for the reigning champion Highlanders.

However, Jamie Joseph’s men are back in the Australasian conference’s top four this weekend after an absolutely thrilling battle with, their nearest and dearest neighbours, the Crusaders.

In front of a raucous Dunedin crowd yesterday morning, both sides injected a frenetic pace into the contest and the Highlanders’ intense defence ensure the visitors had only three penalties to show for early territorial dominance.

Then Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga unleashed a little magic to tilt the contest their way.

First, the out-half made the incredibly skilful look routine as he cut five defenders out of the game with an on-the-run deft chip into the arms of Waisake Naholo.

chip

And then Smith set this pass ripping out of his hands to put Matt Faddes en route to the try-line.

rip

Smith’s a beautiful passer at the best of times, but when he winds his arms up and fires one down the chute like this he is an absolute joy.

Full highlights of a cracking 34 – 26 game are here.

SANZAAR / YouTube

This morning, a pin-point Beauden Barrett cross-field kick was the highlight of the Hurricanes’ win over the Reds in Wellington. You won’t have to wait long for it in the video below either.

SANZAAR / YouTube

The Brumbies chiselled out a 22 – 30 win away to the Rebels in Melbourne yesterday. Watch out for Christian Lealiifano’s first-half try (after 1.33 of the below clip) which ought to have been called back for a forward pass to the 10.

SANZAAR / YouTube

We always give Super Rugby a hell of a lot of credit for its skill level, so it’s only fair that we should point out the awful spectacle that was the first half hour of this convincing 31 – 8 Waratahs win over the Bulls this morning.

SANZAAR / YouTube

Despite potential intercept opportunities for both sides, it was still scoreless until Nick Phipps pounced in the 36th minute. The scrum-half remained the shining light in the second half, feeding Dean Mumm and going on an excellent support line for Israel Folau to get his second try.

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