Super Rugby: Highlanders and All Blacks Aaron Smith star on the years of hard work behind his success

HE is the world’s best halfback but if Aaron Smith had made a different choice he may have found himself entrenched in New Zealand’s middle order in this cricket World Cup.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 24: Aaron Smith of the Highlanders (C) passes from a ruck during the round 15 Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on May 24, 2014 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

HE is the world’s best halfback but if Aaron Smith had made a different choice he may have found himself entrenched in New Zealand’s middle order in this Cricket World Cup.

The 26-year-old All Blacks star’s forays onto cricket ovals are limited to social games these days, but given his natural talent and immense work ethic it would be hard to bet against him having made the Black Caps had he decided to stick with cricket as a teenager.

A promising all-rounder, Smith was given an ultimatum by his father Wayne at age 12.

“I was pretty good at cricket, better than I was at rugby back then, but I wanted to be an All Black,” Smith told the Daily Telegraph.

“I was young when I made the choice, my dad said ‘I can’t keep taking you to cricket and rugby training’.

“I am glad I chose rugby. I still play cricket actually, just not any rep stuff. My dad has a social cricket team at home, he is a bit of a battler, those guys seem to get a bit of a buzz to get an All Black playing in the team.”

All Black Aaron Smith gets past the tackle of Ireland’s Brian O'Driscoll.

It’s fair to say that he chose the tougher route – one that today pits Smith and his Highlanders against Super Rugby’s defending champions NSW Waratahs in Dunedin - and it wasn’t without its hurdles.

“When I was younger I made a few teams, but I also missed out on a few teams, and that made me hungry,” Smith said.

“I certainly didn’t get everything given to me. I didn’t get it as quickly as I hoped I would.

“I remember when I missed out on an under-14s team when the coach picked his son ahead of me, I took that very personally.

“I missed the [NZ] under-19s team, I had a chat to Dave Rennie (Chiefs coach, and former junior New Zealand coach), he said ‘Your game is unique, don’t try to change it’.

“I had to just keep sharpening up.

“That is when I started to get a lot fitter, so I could play the game for a long, sustained period of time.

“I got in really good shape, for me it was about being able to play my game for long periods of time, I couldn’t play for 70 minutes like I can now.

“It is a really fulfilling feeling knowing you have done the work and then you get the reward. Once you get a taste, you want more success, you just want more.

“When you are a bit nervous, knowing you haven’t done the work, it’s a lot tougher looking at yourself in the mirror.

“When you’ve done the hard yards, even if you miss out, you can look at yourself and feel content knowing you’ve given it your all.”

Aaron Smith in action for the Highlanders.

And so began the relentless fitness campaign; 150 metre sprints, 60-40 sprint/jogs – all 80 of them – sideline to sideline running and passing, 10km road runs, stairs, hills, sand dunes.

Smith now possesses the sweetest pass in the game; all speed, incision and consistency.

The former hairdresser – who still cuts and styles his teammates’ hair - has come a long way since his days at the barbershop.

Smith was the second-most searched person on Google NZ last year, only behind Kiwi pop superstar Lorde.

Google hadn’t been invented when the origins of Smith’s brilliant pass was being formed; hitting a yellow sticker on a wheelie bin with his rugby ball thousands of times over several years.

“That started the work ethic,” Smith said.

“I’d get home from school and I’d have that wheelie bin for company.

“At the time it was just something you did when you’re young, so when my dad got home from work it looked like I’m doing my passing.”

He was reminded of those long afternoons when he was first named to play for the All Blacks in 2012.

“That was the best day ever, to ring your parents to tell them, because it is all the hard work they put in too, I was so proud to share that moment with them,” Smith said.

“My dad doesn’t give too much away but I heard him bawling over the phone line that day, it was very special.”

Perhaps as special would be the prospect of Smith leading the Highlanders to their maiden Super Rugby premiership this year.

They’re underdogs but certainly building, having made the finals last year and retaining the bulk of their squad for 2015.

NSW are wary – they publicly stated earlier this week they’ll target Smith to shut down the Highlanders’ attack.

Smith, who goes head-to-head with Wallabies rival Nick Phipps under the roof of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, said: “The Waratahs are a very impressive team to watch, the quality of players they’ve got across the park is scary to be honest.

“Their game plan is very in-your-face. The ball is in play a lot longer than in some other games, it’s more fast-paced footy.

“But at the back end of some of those long plays, something has got to give.”

Originally published as Super Rugby: Highlanders and All Blacks Aaron Smith star on the years of hard work behind his success