All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith will go down in the history books as the first player in Super Rugby Aotearoa to win a captain’s challenge after his successful referral for the Highlanders in their 39-23 win against the Chiefs on Friday night. Kerry Marshall/Getty Images Highlanders co-captain Aaron Smith speaking to referee Paul Williams in their win over the Chiefs. “He’s done a good job there [with the challenge] and his impact with 30 to go was huge for us.”The captain’s challenge is one of two new rules New Zealand Rugby have copied from the NRL and introduced for the second edition of Super Rugby Aotearoa. Kerry Marshall/Getty Images Sam Cane was unsuccessful with his captain’s challenge for the Chiefs. Williams was the referee when the captain’s challenge first appeared in a pre-season clash between the Blues and the Crusaders in Cambridge two weeks ago.

Source: Stuff March 05, 2021 21:00 UTC