Japan Rugby League One
Former All Blacks coach offers progress report on Joseph Manu's preseason
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Aaron Smith ![New Zealand]()
New Zealand
Nationality 
Age
36
Position
Scrum Half
Height
171cm
Weight
82kg
News
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Autumn Nations Series
Opinion
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International
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Bio
Aaron Smith is a highly regarded scrum half who has represented New Zealand more than 100 times. He spent most of his senior career at the Highlanders before moving to Toyota Verblitz in 2024. Aaron Smith was inducted into the RugbyPass Hall of Fame in 2021.
Aaron Smith made his debut for Manawatu in the Air New Zealand Cup (now the Bunnings National Provincial Championship) in 2008, at the age of 19. Over the course of the next two seasons, he firmly established himself in the side. As a result of his impressive play, he earned a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders for the 2011 season.
Although he faced stiff competition at the Highlanders, Aaron Smith's stellar performances for the side soon saw him become a regular starter for the Super Rugby franchise.
Despite being a star of Super Rugby, Aaron Smith is best known for his international career. Since 2012, he's been capped by New Zealand more than 100 times. During this period, he's been a regular leader of the haka. In addition, he has also helped his country win the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and The Rugby Championship on several occasions. He retired from international rugby in 2023, when the All Blacks lost the Rugby World Cup final.
With many years of elite rugby still ahead of him, we can't wait to see what else Aaron Smith can achieve in the game.
