French club sets sights on the Smith and Smith show
Pau has emerged as the latest European rugby club interested in signing star All Blacks fullback Ben Smith.
Midi Olympique claims Smith has attracted a significant offer from the French club, who are reportedly keen to reunite the 30-year-old with former All Blacks team-mate Conrad Smith, who has extended his stay at Pau for another season.
Smith, 30, is off contract with New Zealand Rugby at the end of the British and Irish Lions tour in June-july and is highly sought after. He has been previously been linked with a move to Irish powerhouse Munster.
Smith’s rival for the All Black No 15 jersey Israel Dagg has also been linked with moves to Toulon and Irish club Leinster, while first five-eighth Aaron Cruden was reportedly offered a NZ$1.2 million per season deal to join Montpellier.
NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew tabled deals for Smith, Dagg and Cruden last month and is awaiting the trio’s decision of their next career move.
Tew said the organisation had done all they could to retain the trio, though head coach Steve Hansen feared at least one would opt to head overseas.
‘‘It’s going to be touch and go I think. Will we keep all three of them? Probably not. But if we can keep two out of three that’ll be a positive,’’ Hansen told Radio Sport after the new contracts were offered.
If Smith does decide to head to Europe that may convince Dagg, who now plays on the right wing for the All Blacks, to remain in New Zealand.
Pau also have former All Black and Crusaders utility backs Colin Slade and Tom Taylor in their current squad with the latter listed as a fullback.
Charlie Faumuina was the latest current All Black to confirm a move offshore, the 30-year-old, 46-cap front-rower joins Toulouse after the British and Irish Lions tour. His departure was offset by premier tighthead Owen Franks’ decision to re-sign with NZ Rugby though to the World Cup defence in Japan in 2019.