As departing All Black Aaron Smith prepares to say goodbye to Aotearoa, Wallabies rival Quade Cooper has outlined his respect for arguably the greatest halfback to ever play.
On Saturday, Smith, 34, will make his last home appearance in an All Black jersey, fittingly at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium, where he made his name for the Highlanders.
Named on the bench to cover Finlay Christie, Smith will likely finish the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia, before he moves to Japan in 2024.
Since his 2012 debut, Smith has been capped 117 times, passing Kiwi icon Dan Carter to become the most-capped All Blacks back.
In that time, the livewire No.9 has been the benchmark for other halfbacks around the world.
While France's Antoine Dupont and South Africa's Faf de Klerk now challenge for the tag of the best in the world, Smith's longevity will see him remembered among the game's greats.
His exit will undoubtedly hit the All Blacks, as they begin under new coach Scott Robertson, but for opponents, it can't come soon enough.
Wallabies first-five Quade Cooper has played his fair share of contests against Smith in his 79-test career.
This weekend, Cooper will also come off the bench, covering Carter Gordon, as coach Eddie Jones' first choice No.10. After countless clashes against Smith, Cooper makes no bones of his admiration for the outgoing halfback.
"He's a great lad, a phenomenal player," he said. "In my opinion, he's the best halfback to have played.
"I'm sure there will be a statue of him - it won't be a very big statue, he's a little man.
"He's a great dude, I love our interactions. Every time we've played against each other, he's the ultimate competitor, but he's such a smart switched-on footballer.
"He's a student of the game, you hear him talk about the game, he's one of the most knowledgeable rugby players to have played.
"As I said, the ultimate competitor. I look forward to hopefully having the opportunity to go against him."
In saying that, Cooper, 35, and the Wallabies could not be more desperate for a win.
Jones' men are yet to taste victory in 2023 and have lost six of their last seven tests, dating back to November last year.
Winless on New Zealand soil since 2001 - coincidentally, their last win came in Dunedin, with Jones as coach - Cooper would be happy to send Smith out on a sour note.
"In some ways, for us, we want to spoil that party as well," he added. "At the same time, we have the ultimate respect for him as a player and what he's done for New Zealand rugby."
Aside from Smith, the likes of Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Richie Mo'unga, Dane Coles and Nepo Laualala are also playing their final tests on home soil.
Beauden Barrett and Shannon Frizell - both moving to Japan - have not been named in the squad for Saturday's test.
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