Aaron Smith’s rugby ban and airport toilet sex scandal before record was overturned
The All Blacks are not used to being considered underdogs, but ahead of the start of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, some have written off New Zealand. Ireland, France and South Africa were expected to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy before them, but the sport's most famous team has been… Aaron Smith, a scrum-half for New Zealand, was suspended for a rugby ban and airport toilet sex scandal before record was overturned. The incident occurred after the All Blacks defeated Ireland in the quarter-finals and New Zealand lost the semi-final against England. Smith broke down in tears following the team's victory over Ireland. The suspension was lifted in 2017 after he was caught having sex with a lawyer in a disused airport toilet. Smith's international future was uncertain following the incident. Despite being in a relationship with Tigan Vojkovic, Smith expressed disappointment at his behavior and disappointment at letting his family and partner down.
Published : 2 years ago by George in Sports Travel
The All Blacks are not used to being considered underdogs, but ahead of the start of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, some have written off New Zealand. Ireland, France and South Africa were expected to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy before them, but the sport’s most famous team has been quietly changing tack over the past month.
As his relentless efficiency, power, speed and precession come to the fore, perhaps no one embodies these traits better than experienced scrum-half Aaron Smith.
The 34-year-old broke down in tears after the All Blacks’ epic 28-24 quarter-final victory over Ireland last weekend. For 2019 World Cup veteran Smith, the result was not just a statement but a reminder of the lessons learned four years ago when New Zealand again defeated Ireland in the quarter-finals.
They then lost the semi-final against England, which was a huge motivation for Smith.
He said: “Just the memory of that pain is a great encouragement, especially for some of us who were there. That feeling helped us reset after an exciting game. [against Ireland] and everything that was at stake last week.”
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After attracting attention whilst playing provincial rugby in his homeland, Smith was included in the Blues’ expanded training squad for the 2010 Super 14 season. He signed with the Highlanders in 2011 and his performances earned him his All-America debut . Ireland.
In 2012, he was the All Blacks’ starting fullback and has been selected in every New Zealand squad since 2013. He started all of New Zealand’s knockout matches during their victorious 2015 Rugby World Cup and in 2016 he became the haka leader of the Todos Negros.
In 2016, Smith made his 50th cap against Wales before the scandal broke.
Smith’s career came to an abrupt halt in 2017 when the All Blacks suspended him after he was caught having sex with a lawyer in a disused airport toilet, hours after playing in a test match against South Africa.
His international future was left in doubt after the horrific incident at Christchurch airport. The man saw the semi-struggle enter the disabled bathroom with the woman and had no doubt as to what was happening. The man wrote to the New Zealand Herald newspaper and said: “The couple were in the bathroom for 5 to 10 minutes and judging by the noise coming from the bathroom, there was no doubt what the couple were doing there.”
Smith admitted to having sexual relations with the woman and messages emerged between the two detailing the extent of the affair between them. At the time, the rugby star was in a relationship with Tigan Vojkovic, who remained with him despite the ordeal. The couple later married in 2021.
After being caught, Smith told a news conference: “I made a big mistake, a big error in judgment. Firstly, I would like to apologize to my partner Teagan, to her family, to my family. My behavior was unacceptable and if only I could respect myself and my partner in this situation. I’m just trying to get home to fix this. Thanks.”
At the time, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said: “On Sunday in Christchurch, after the test in South Africa, people at Christchurch airport saw Aaron and his girlfriend going into disabled toilets. I spoke to Aaron on Tuesday and he confirmed the story. “Obviously, Aaron is bitterly disappointed with his behavior and feels he has let the team down, but more importantly he is bitterly disappointed that he has let his family and his partner down. “He, at his request, asked to return home to resolve personal matters relating to this incident, and we are very happy to support him in this.”
Due to his behavior, Smith was suspended for one game, which even provoked a reaction from the country’s then Prime Minister, John Key. The Prime Minister said: “I suspect he will sit there thinking that he let himself down, he let the team down. , is an integral part of the All Blacks, so you don’t want to sit on the sidelines and, frankly, say: He was a bit embarrassed,” said Key. “They [the All Blacks] “I’ve tried really hard to show young New Zealanders that they’re the kind of people we should look up to, so I think Aaron will be very disappointed in himself.”
Even after serving a one-match suspension, Smith found himself in further trouble after New Zealand Rugby ordered an independent investigation into the incident. He found there were some “inconsistencies” in the player’s account of what happened and was subsequently given a formal written warning.
The woman at the center of the scandal, lawyer Bridget Morton, spoke to Australia’s Daily Mail in 2017 after Smith asked her to sign a document falsely claiming the couple had not had sex. She said: “The problem was not what happened at the airport, but the lies that were told afterwards, which I did not agree with. I had nothing to hide, so if Aaron had told the truth from the beginning there wouldn’t have been a problem, it really wasn’t a big problem. The lie was unnecessary. As for the punishment for cheating on NZR, it’s weird, but I didn’t want Aaron to be punished, I just wanted him to tell the truth.”
He broke the All Blacks record
Despite the setback, Smith became New Zealand’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the 2018 season, breaking Justin Marshall’s long-standing record.
In August 2021, against the Wallabies, Smith became the tenth All Black to record 100 Tests and the first of Māori descent.
Smith was the leading wicket-taker in 32 Tests for New Zealand.
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Topics: Rugby