All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has today opened up on how the incident involving a woman in a Christchurch airport toilet last year badly affected him, saying he should have taken time away from the game.
Smith, who plays his 100th game for the Highlanders on Friday, said a break from rugby to repair the damage done to himself and his partner and family would probably have been better than his continuing to play for the All Blacks.
Smith says that he probably should have put rugby on the backburner then and focused on himself and his family, but they are passed that, he has learned a lot from it and he thinks a lot of positives have come from that incident for him, personally, on the field and off‑field.
Smith adds that he is just really excited about this year and he thinks it is finally coming out in his game.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders will face the Rebels at 6.35pm this Friday.
On Saturday the Blues take on the Force at 4.15pm, the Chiefs will meet the Bulls at 6.35pm, the Reds will play the Hurricanes at 8.45pm while the Crusaders will take on the Waratahs at 6.05pm Sunday.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
