The match-winner for the Highlanders in their must-win game against the Reds on Friday night was reserve halfback Folau Fakatava, who spotted a gap on the blindside with 30sec remaining and scorched over for a memorable try.
But all eyes were on the starter in the stands at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and Aaron Smith obliged by celebrating with unrestrained joy as his understudy sealed a win that kept the Highlanders in the playoff race.
"I said to the boys with about 10 to go, if they are caught napping, Folau will see it," Smith said.
"Thirty seconds to go, phew. One on one on the blind - don’t give that to Folau Fakatava. It’s over, and he shut the door."
It has only really become apparent over the past week how much of an influence Smith has had on Fakatava staying with the Highlanders.
Tongan tornado Fakatava became an All Black out of his adopted club but has twice had an opportunity to move elsewhere.
Smith will leave a legacy as the greatest Highlander of all, but he has also been anxious to make sure the No 9 jersey he has worn 184 times will be in good hands.
"Folau, James Arscott, Nathan Hastie and future 9s that might be at the stadium tonight — I don’t want them to feel burdened by it.
"That was a big push around trying to get Folau to stay. He can take this team to where he wants to take it, and he will.
"He will leave his own legacy in this jersey and this team. He made a big statement tonight."
Smith said the week leading up to his final home Highlanders appearance had been emotional and close to draining.
"It was a huge week, to be honest, with media commitments and trying to say thank you to everyone and the city putting things on for me, and family and friends turning up.
"I just wanted to really focus in and play well. I tried my hardest tonight.
"I didn’t want all the hoopla and that. But it comes with it, and I was actually really grateful for it. I play a team sport, and I always try to put the team first, but I definitely feel the love.
"I didn’t want to let the feelings ruin the night for me. I had a couple, but nothing beats seeing Folau run over and score in the corner."
The only twinge of sadness was the empty seat in the stadium.
Smith said his father, Wayne, who died last month, would have enjoyed the rollicking game.
"He would have said, ‘That was bloody tough on the heart, son.’ He would have been extremely proud.
"It’s hard to think about it. Still weird, him not being here. He’s here in spirit but I miss him so much."
As expected, the Highlanders zoned in hard on trying to send their beloved "Nuggie" out on a high.
Fakatava was delighted to be the man to get the opportunity to score the winning try for his mate.
"There was a lot of emotion throughout the week. For us, the boys just wanted to be there for Aaron," Fakatava said.
"It means a lot that we got the win."
The halfbacks have been close friends and competitors for years, and Fakatava (23) is going to miss his mentor.
"We’re really close. We always compete with other, but he helps me a lot and he trusts me and my game.
"He was my idol, especially when I was in Tonga. To get to play with him, and to send him off, is really special."
