Julian Savea can give players 'nightmares' - Aaron Smith on playing against his former All Blacks teammate

New Zealand halfback Aaron Smith knows what awaits him at Twickenham if he gets the chance to run out for the All Blacks against the Barbarians on Sunday morning.

The 28-year-old has come up against his now former national colleague Julian Savea a number of times at Super Rugby level, and he admits it's not a fun experience.

Savea has been selected by Kiwi coach Robbie Deans in the 'Baa-Baas' 26-man squad for the one-off match in London.

Smith said the 27-year-old has been the form player of the Mitre 10 Cup, and is sure he will bring the aggression he is famous for when the two sides meet at the home of English rugby.

"After what I have been seeing from him lately - a few of the boys have been chatting, yeah we know the bus is coming (laughs),"Smith told reporters.

"He has been playing really well and guys like Julian are nightmares.

"He is just trying to be a dream-ender and I have been on the wrong end of Julian a couple of times so yeah let's do this in England."

The match against the combined side is New Zealand's first since a loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane two weeks ago,

Smith said the review on that game has been intense and thorough - which is a good thing as they look to get the Northern tour off to a winning start.

"We want to rectify what happened in Brisbane," Smith said.

"You know as a player when you haven't done your role right. The review wasn't as hard as some in the past but it was honest and we had good feedback. It gave us good things to work on for this week."

If selected to play, Sunday morning will be the first time the Highlanders halfback would have played for the All Blacks in a non-International.

Smith said regardless of the opposition, playing for the All Blacks is a privilege and his game-week process won't differ.

"Every time you put on the black jersey you have got to respect it and prepare accordingly because they will be throwing everything at us.

"Steve (Hansen) has challenged us to play some attractive footy and that's what we want to do. We always look to drive our standards higher."

The All Blacks will play Scotland, Wales and France as well as a midweek match with a French Barbarians side on the tour.

Smith said it's important they don't look past the Barbarians, a side that features 13 New Zealand players including Savea, Steven Luatua and Richie Mo'unga.

"We have a big game against the Baa-Baas with quite a few kiwi boys in there.

"I play those guys week in week out in Super Rugby and that's hard enough. You put them on the big stage with better players around them they will be dangerous.

"Our focus is getting that win."

The All Blacks side to play the Barbarians will be announced on Thursday (NZT).

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