‘We had a chance’: Aaron Smith reflects on last-minute loss to Tahs

The Highlanders were on the cusp of a much-needed win on Friday night, but a last-minute try to Waratahs hooker Mahe Vailanu snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Following their loss to the Western Force in round nine, the Highlanders welcomed back All Blacks Aaron Smith and Folau Fakatava for their trip to Sydney.

All Blacks and Highlanders halfback Smith was also given the captaincy ahead of his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance in almost a month.

Playing at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, the Highlanders were locked in a tense tussle early on.

The two teams couldn’t be separated for 17 minutes, before Waratahs centre Izaia Perese broke the deadlock with an incredible solo effort.

While they trailed at the break, the Highlanders eventually took the lead after two quick tries from in-form backrower Hugh Renton and captain Aaron Smith midway through the half.

But the Waratahs weren’t done yet.

Lock Pari Pari Parkinson was sent to the sin bin with five minutes to play which added more drama to the already enthralling spectacle, as the Tahs unleashed wave after wave of attacking pressure.

Shortly after, replacement Mahe Vailanu scored with a minute to play, which gave Ben Donaldson the chance to kick what ultimately ended up being the match-winning points.

Speaking with former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell after the match, Smith said both teams were "desperate for a win."

“Pretty ugly, to be honest,” Smith said on Stan Sport.

“Two teams desperate for a win and trying really hard. You could see both teams really desperate and trying their hearts out but probably lacked a bit of accuracy – both teams.

“Lacked that real calmness to finish things and it was the team who could have the last punch.

“We had a chance to really put it out there and our skill errors and execution let us down.”

With the Highlanders leading by six points, Smith was subbed off with eight minutes to play.

The world-class halfback was made to watch from the sidelines as the Waratahs continued to unleash an attacking onslaught on his side - and the Highlanders could only hold on for so long.

“I wish when I came off it was at a better state of the game, not five or six points,” he added.

“That’s the hardest thing about Super Rugby Pacific, they’re 80-minute games and the cream of the crop are at the top because they nail execution and they’re ruthless in their detail.

“We’re still chasing that and we got shown a lesson in that last five minutes. They waited, patient, and stuck in, used their forwards to get their last five metres and yeah, it’s a bummer, it’s been a hard tour.”

It doesn’t get any easier for the Highlanders next week.

The Highlanders, who are currently eighth on the ladder, host the high-flying Chiefs in Dunedin in round 11.