Smith’s tips to gets picked for ABs

Decorated halfback tells Paul Cully that delivering at the business end of the Super Rugby season is what really gets you noticed by selectors.

Halfback Aaron Smith has been around long enough to know when the All Blacks’ selectors really start to look at a player’s output.

Early-season form is one thing, but delivering when the pressure comes on at the business end of the Super Rugby season is another thing entirely.

The Highlanders captain knows that rule applies to himself as much as it does to others, but he has some sage advice for younger team-mates such as Folau Fakatava, Marino MikaeleTu’u and Thomas Umaga-Jensen as All Blacks chat ramps up before the squad is named on June 13.

‘‘It’s very hard to block it out, especially with social media these days, but the key for them and for us is to keep playing really well, keep winning, and have a real good crack at these playoffs coming,’’ Smith said.

‘‘That’s the best way to get selected for the All Blacks. This is the business end of the season, and they watch now. All the stuff you’ve done early . . . what you do when it counts is what gets you selected.

‘‘We’ve got plenty of guys who are sticking their hand up and playing good footy, but it’s about carrying it on and finishing with a bang, not going into your shell now.’’

With competition for All Blacks’ spots particularly hot in the backrow, midfield and halfback positions, Mikaele-Tu’u, Umaga-Jensen and Fakatava face a big few weeks ahead, starting with the Waratahs today.

The Highlanders are within touching distance of locking up eighth spot on ladder, and a potential playoffs game against the Blues or Crusaders would be the perfect platform for the trio to show their ability.

Still, Smith noted they had to avoid the danger of becoming too individualistic – something the All Blacks would pick up on.

‘‘It’s about not trying to do too much,’’ he said. ‘‘Do what our team needs you to do.

‘‘That’s the best way for them to look at it. Do your role for us and that’s what they’ll see. Do all the little things.

‘‘Everyone thinks it’s all the flash stuff, but it’s actually nailing your key roles, your core roles for your position. Anything extra is just a bonus.’’

Fakatava – who has officially been confirmed as being immediately eligible for the All Blacks – Mikaele-Tu’u and Umaga-Jensen have all been with the Highlanders for a number of years. For the latter duo, however, this season has been a breakout campaign as they have largely been injury-free, allowing them to put consistent performances together. ‘‘Guys with X-factor who are able to spot an opportunity in organically, not through structure but just through their ability, that’s always the best thing about rugby,’’ Smith said. ‘‘To see Marino running, to see Thomas in space . . . for a big man he’s got great feet, great vision. He’s deadly.’’

Ireland are also expected to be a tough nut to crack in three tests against the All Blacks and two games against the Ma¯ori All Blacks in June-July.

The Highlanders have a big job to do first in Super Rugby, but Smith also acknowledged that excitement was building for that series, particularly with the second test in Dunedin.