Smith’s agent confirms sabbatical

Ben Smith will play the All Blacks’ first two Bledisloe Cup rugby tests next month before taking a fourmonth break, his manager has confirmed.

Smith’s manager Warren Alcock, who in February negotiated his contract with New Zealand Rugby through to 2020, told NZME the All Blacks fullback and vice-captain would activate the sabbatical clause in his contract.

It means that Smith will be available for the Sydney test on August 19 and Dunedin a week later, before sitting out the rest of the year which includes eight more All Blacks tests.

‘‘Contractually he’s on sabbatical now,’’ Alcock told NZME. ‘‘As soon as Super Rugby finished he was entitled to take it.

‘‘He has decided to make himself available for the two Bledisloe games because he has missed some rugby this year.

‘‘The expectation is he will start his sabbatical after those two games.’’

Smith refused to discuss the topic before his Highlanders lost to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby quarterfinal last Saturday.

He missed the final two tests against the British and Irish Lions with what was initially thought to be concussion symptoms but was later diagnosed as an inner ear infection.

The 62-test All Black, whose latest contract included an early termination option after the 2019 World Cup in Japan, will follow the example of former All Blacks Richie Mccaw and Dan Carter who also activated sabbatical clauses during their careers.

Smith will not play overseas during that time.

NZ Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol said earlier this month a sabbatical clause has the potential to ensure a player remains motivated, and add longevity to their career.

‘‘If they know they have got a dedicated break coming up, when the pressure is going to be off, and they know they can actually disengage from the environment completely, that has as much as value leading up that break as the break itself.

‘‘If you can use that to your advantage to keep the player, and to keep him motivated, and inspired to continue on the path they are on with NZ Rugby, then you would be absolutely foolish not to take advantage of it.’’