Aaron Smith

Aaron Smith is a New Zealand rugby union player known for his performances as a scrum-half for the All Blacks and Highlanders. His career highlights include a Rugby World Cup victory and numerous Rugby Championship titles. After securing the New Zealand Under 20 Junior World Championship in 2008, Aaron Smith quickly rose to prominence as a formidable scrum-half, making his debut for Manawatu in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup. He immediately established himself as a key player, starting in all 13 games during the 2009 season and scoring his first representative try.

In 2023, Smith was a key component of the All Blacks squad that reached the Rugby World Cup final. Following the tournament, he retired from international rugby, marking the end of an era for one of the game’s most respected players. That same year, he embarked on a new chapter in his professional career, joining the Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, continuing his dedication to elite-level rugby.