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All Blacks vice-captain Smith signs new deal

New Zealand vice-captain Ben Smith

Highlanders full-back Ben Smith has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract with New Zealand Rugby until 2020.

The All Blacks vice-captain was in the final year of his previous deal and had been linked with several French clubs.

Pro12 leaders Munster were also said to have offered Smith a lucrative contract, but the 30-year-old has opted to stay in his homeland with Super Rugby outfit Highlanders.

The versatile Smith was a key member of the All Blacks team which won the World Cup in 2015 and is set to feature in the next tournament in Japan – with the option to terminate his contract after that showpiece.

Smith said: “It’s been an interesting few months as we have worked through what was best for my family and career over the next few years. In the end we are happy with our decision to stay in New Zealand.

“Obviously, the All Blacks, the Highlanders and Otago are three teams that I really enjoy playing for, and I’m pretty excited about a few of the opportunities and challenges we’ll have over the next few seasons.”

Smith’s decision to snub a move overseas is a major boost to All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, with Aaron Cruden having agreed to join Montpellier at the end of the season

Hansen said: “To have the most consistent player in world rugby re-signing is great news for New Zealand rugby and a real credit to our game.

“It’s a real confidence booster for us to keep a player of this calibre in our country and we now look forward with excitement knowing that our vice-captain is going to be with us through to 2020.”

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Nickers 28 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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