Little more than a year ago, Aaron Smith was making his debut for the All Blacks against Ireland and he said that was a breeze compared with his latest challenge.
Having trained as a hairdresser four years ago in his home town of Palmerston North, Smith rated himself to give his Highlanders and All Blacks team mates a trim from time to time, but when given the scissors to cut 21-year-old Hannah William's hair last night he was visibly shaken.
''It is definitely easier preparing for a test. I'm freaking out about it.''
Smith confessed yesterday was the longest day of his life after being told he would be cutting a female's hair as part of a Highlanders Facebook page promotion to win a haircut from Aaron Smith.
He almost ran off the road with nerves on the way to Zaibatsu Hair Art's salon in St Clair, Smith said.
Miss Williams, a loyal Highlanders' fan, calmed her nerves by consuming two white wines in her student flat and a third when she arrived.
And she did nothing for Smith's confidence when she told him, soon after being introduced, former Highlander Jimmy Cowan was her favourite All Black.
An Australian, Miss Williams was raised an Otago and All Black fan as he father was from Mosgiel.
Miss Williams came to Dunedin from Perth to study health science at Otago University and she hoped to become a physiotherapist for her two favourite sides. Smith was relieved when it was all over.
''Well, she looks happy and I'm not shaking quite so much.''
Zaibatsu owner Jaimee Smith said the All Black did a near-perfect job.
Miss Williams said the good job Smith had done had improved his ratings on her favourite chart, but ''Jimmy will always be my favourite''.
