Sure, the Highlanders have other good players.
The front row is looking promising.
Rising star Ethan de Groot is a force at loosehead.
Jermaine Ainsley looks plenty tough enough on the other side and experienced hooker Liam Coltman completes a solid front three.
The lineout looks steady, with Josh Dickson and Manaaki Selby-Rickit getting the nod for this afternoon’s campaign opener against the Chiefs in Queenstown.
There are a couple of powerful ball runners in the loose in the form of Shannon Frizell, who will bring up 50 games for the franchise, and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u on the bench.
Experienced campaigners James Lentjes and Gareth Evans will work hard at the crucial breakdown area.
Mitch Hunt is a quality first five. Midfielder Scott Gregory looks set for a breakout season, and back-up Thomas Umaga-Jensen is finally injury free and is highly rated.
Debutant Mosese Dawai has pace and skill out wide.
But the ace in the pack is the All Black halfback.
And Smith is the card the Highlanders will shape their hand around.
The 33-year-old may have — we stress, may have — lost a dash of pace. But his professionalism, fitness and competitive spirit continue to give him the energy to get to the rucks quicker than anyone else. And his vast experience informs every one of the countless decisions he has to make during a game.
His number one asset, though, has always been that pass.
He gets the ball into the hands of those outside him quicker and more accurately than anyone else.
The seconds he saves there can make all the difference in the games where the margin is tight.
He gets a nice dry track every other week at Forsyth Barr Stadium. It is the perfect environment for the former hairdresser to show off that snappy pass.
And that is why the Highlanders have designed so much of their game plan around it.
It is a lot of pressure on the skipper but he can stand the load.
"Highlanders rugby is all about playing at speed and seeing opportunities, so that is how we’ll be looking to play," Smith said.
"I always come into a season really excited about trying to implement things and always want to grow [my] game.
"As you get older, you’ve been in more situations and you now how to get your body in the place you need to get to.
"You can do all the hard work and physical stuff, but if you don’t put it on to the field it means nothing.
"So I’m nervous and excited about playing on Saturday. I’ve got that itch about playing in a real game and competing again, and really excited about the team we’ve got."
One of those players Smith is excited about is his understudy Folau Fakatava, who he rates highly.
Fakatava brings a more robust running game but has many of Smith’s fine qualities as well.
"We all know from his last couple of years he has got a bright future and I’m excited to see him go.
"You’ve got to love competition and thrive under those conditions. Nothing better than having that."
If Fakatava can tease out even more brilliance from Smith, that would bode really well for the match against the Chiefs and for the season.
Super Rugby Pacific
Highlanders season draw
Feb 19: v Chiefs, Queenstown, 4.35pm
Feb 26: v Crusaders, Dunedin, 7.05pm
March 5: v Hurricanes, Dunedin, 7.05pm
March 11: v Blues, Whangarei, 7.05pm
March 18: v Moana Pasifika, Dunedin, 7.05pm
March 26: v Blues, Dunedin, 4.35pm
April 1: v Crusaders, Christchurch, 7.05pm
April 16: v Hurricanes, Dunedin, 7.05pm
April 24: v Brumbies, Melbourne, 4pm
April 30: v Fiji Drua, Suva, 4.35pm
May 6: v Reds, Brisbane, 9.45pm
May 13: v Force, Dunedin, 7.05pm
May 22: v Waratahs, Dunedin, 3.35pm
May 29: v Rebels, Melbourne, 4pm
Highlanders v Chiefs
Queenstown, 4.35pm
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Mosese Dawai, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregor, Josh Timu, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jermaine Ainsley, Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck, Bryn Evans, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Chiefs: Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson, Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Jonah Lowe, Josh Ioane, Xavier Roe, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Brodie Retallick, Laghlan McWhannell, Sione Mafileo, Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum
Boshier, Brad Weber, Bryn Gatland, Chase Tiatia.
