Aaron Smith's re-signing with New Zealand Rugby is welcome news for the Highlanders, with the veteran All Blacks halfback staying put until 2021.
As Smith's new deal was confirmed this morning, Highlanders assistant coach Glenn Delaney hailed the 82-Test halfback's influence in Dunedin.
"When you've got the best player in his position in the world committing to your club, it speaks volumes of what we're trying to do, and what we're trying to build here," Delaney said.
"He's at the heart of that, he's at the centre of all the good things we do on the field in terms of how we play. But not only that, what he brings to the club off the field - his personality, his infectious energy.
"He's great to have around, a real livewire and we love him to bits."
Delaney also quashed any fears that at 30, Smith may be approaching the peak of his powers, saying:
"He's fit as a fiddle.
"He's arguably the most competitive person I've ever seen. Thirty's just a number that might be determining when he was born, it doesn't actually show the state of his body and his mind.
"He's like an excitable teenager most days, I don't think the age is an issue at all."
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