Highlanders scrumhalf Aaron Smith expects a big challenge from Argentina’s Jaguars in 2016.

Smith was influential in helping the Highlanders win their maiden Vodacom Super Rugby title in 2015, but does not consider the Dunedin-based franchise as the favourites to win next year.

Super Rugby will be expanded to 18 teams in 2016 and includes an Argentina side brimming with players who featured for the Pumas at the 2015 World Cup. 

‘It's going to be tough, but that excites me too. That's a challenge in itself, I'd never won any big trophies [before this year] so it'll be nice to see the challenge it brings, but I don't think the target's on our back,’ he said. ‘It's a fresh competition, everyone's going for this Argentinian camp, they're pretty much the Pumas, so I'll be going for them.’

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