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United States 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.
Halfback Aaron Smith announcing that he has signed a new contract with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), his Highlanders club and Manawatū provincial union.
Smith and partner Teagan Voykovich have revealed they have joined forces to set up an F45 Training studio franchise.
Experience the dynamic duo of Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick in action on the rugby field. Watch as these two players showcase their skills and teamwork on ...
Born on November 21, 1988, in Palmerston North, Manawatū, Aaron Luke Smith began his professional rugby career early, making his debut for Manawatu in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup at the age of 19. He quickly established himself as a prominent figure, starting in all 13 games during the 2009 season and scoring his first representative try. His consistent performance led to a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders for the 2011 season. Smith’s tenure with the Highlanders was marked by significant achievements, including beating out Sean Romans for the backup half-back position and making 12 appearances in his debut season. He continued to be a mainstay for the team, accumulating 185 caps and leading the club in appearances upon his retirement.
Smith’s international career with the All Blacks commenced in 2012, where he rapidly became the first-choice scrum-half. He earned 124 caps for New Zealand, making him the second most-capped back after Beauden Barrett. A key member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, he started in all knockout games. Notably, Smith became the most capped All Blacks halfback of all time with 82 Tests in 2018. He also captained the All Blacks for the first time in a Test match against Fiji in July 2021 and achieved his 100th Test cap for the All Blacks in the same year against Australia at Eden Park. In 2014, his contributions were recognized with the Tom French Memorial Trophy for Māori Player of the Year. He retired from international rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, subsequently joining the Japanese club Toyota Verblitz.
Throughout his career, Aaron Smith has been instrumental in numerous team successes. He secured the Rugby Championship title six times with the All Blacks and led them to victory in the Bledisloe Cup multiple times. His move to Toyota Verblitz in 2023 marked a new chapter in his career, showcasing his continued dedication to professional rugby. Smith’s precise passing and defensive skills have consistently made him a respected player in the rugby world. His leadership, particularly in leading the Haka, also left a significant mark on the All Blacks.
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