There were cheers and even some tears as a rolling maul of fans surrounded Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith to publicly farewell him in the Meridian Mall, Dunedin, yesterday.
The 34-year-old All Blacks test and Highlanders centurion was greeted with a haka before telling the hundreds gathered that playing rugby in Dunedin was "the best job in the world".
He was a little emotional about the support he had received from the city and said he was "so grateful" for the past 13 years.
"I’ve enjoyed every moment and this is one moment I will never forget."
He spent about an hour signing Highlanders merchandise for his fans.
Six-year-old fan and Dunedin Sharks player Beau Gough never misses his rugby practices, but yesterday he may have been a little bit late because he really wanted to see his sporting hero in the flesh "just one more time".
"I want to play just like him."
The cheering became riotous at times, and it all became a little bit too much for Smith’s youngest son Leo (1) who was tearful about the attention his dad was receiving.
Smith’s last home game for the Highlanders will be against the Reds tomorrow night.
"I’m going to give it hell on Friday night and get into the play-offs," he said.
Smith has signed a contract to play in Japan from the end of this year.
