Aaron Smith returns to the starting halfback position for the test against England. Photo / Getty
Aaron Smith returns to the starting halfback position for the test against England. Photo / Getty
COMMENT
When Aaron Smith made the All Blacks he became the key to driving a style which outflanked most opponents.
The speed of his pass gave the attack extra venom either side of the ruck while his kicking game and occasional sniping runs also put doubt into the defensive line.
That cocktail of danger has eased this season with his distribution not as sharp and the other parts of his game wavering as well.
He was overshadowed by Springbok livewire Faf de Klerk during the Rugby Championship then replaced by TJ Perenara for the opening tour hit-out against the Wallabies in Japan.
The All Blacks marked that test as their rehearsal for Sunday morning's duel with England with centre Jack Goodhue and lock Brodie Retallick returning to the starting lineup.
The selectors have persisted with Damian McKenzie as the fullback, who doubles up as a second playmaker, and Sonny Bill Williams who is still to run into his best form in midfield but they have flipped the dress-rehearsal guide at halfback with Smith picked to start at Twickenham.
His game was solid in his 20 minutes work as a sub against the Wallabies but there was little from that work or the competent hour from Perenara which suggested they would swap duties this weekend.
Maybe Steve Hansen felt Smith needed a rebuff to reignite his game and the selectors have seen that emerging during the fortnight's training the squad has for this test.
Maybe the tests Smith has played against England at home and at Twickenham persuaded the selectors his game was best suited to unsettling their rivals.
That argument has more substance when Smith's game is in prime shape and the starting rebuff in Yokohama may have tripped that switch for the duel with the host halfback Ben Youngs.
There is an enthralling beauty about the All Blacks when their forwards roll into their work with Smith sending out a sizzling stream of passes to his inventive backline but that vision has been more hope than guarantee this season.
Aaron Smith hasn't had much to smile about this season. Photo / Photosport
They have been effective but one part and sometimes several issues have misfired to interrupt the ambition.
We wondered when Hansen plucked Smith out of Super Rugby in 2012 and started him ahead of any of the previous year's winning World Cup halfbacks but we soon learned the head coach had a rare eye for talent.
Retallick, Barrett, Sam Cane and Dane Coles are among many he's identified and helped polish.
Players talk about how Hansen knows when and how to get the best out of their games.
