Always someone coming through: Smith
NOONE is irreplaceable.
Even Ben Smith.
The All Black outside back will join French club Pau after this year’s World Cup.
When he leaves, someone else will step up and we will soon forget all about the dashing fullbackcumwing.
Well, at least that is what you can read into the comments Smith made in relation to news Highlanders lock Jackson Hemopo will leave New Zealand to play professionally in Japan next season.
Players like Hemopo do not typically leave — it tends to be players who are reaching the end of their career or who have lost touch of their dreams to play for the All
Blacks.
Hemopo does not fit into either category but the
25yearold is going, anyway. It is blow for New Zealand rugby, although Smith does not believe the national body should be too concerned.
‘‘There is always guys coming through,’’ Smith said.
‘‘The depth in New Zealand is so strong. There are a lot of new guys coming through and perfor ming really well.
‘‘I think that is a credit to our system and how things have gone over the last few years as far as pathways for guys to become professional athletes. I don’t think it is problem.’’
Smith is ever hopeful Hemopo will return to New Zealand and the Highlanders at some stage.
‘‘Everyone makes different choices about what is right for them at the time. That is right for him and his family and I know from the Highlanders’ point of view we wish him all the best.
‘‘He still has a few more years in him, so you never know. Obviously, there has been guys in our squad who have gone over to Japan and come back for the Highlanders.
‘‘Jax might go and do a stint over there and we might see him back at the Highlanders at some point. He is still young enough to do that.’’
Hemopo is not playing in the derby against the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.
Smith has been named at fullback and will mark David Havili, who is the sort of player you might imagine Smith was talking about when he spoke of the talent coming through the ranks.
AUCKLAND: World Rugby yesterday unveiled a newlook schedule for next season’s World Rugby Sevens Series season featuring an integrated men’s and women’s event in Hamilton next January.
The 2020 New Zealand Sevens will be one of six combined men’s and women’s events next season along with Dubai, Cape Town, Sydney, Hong Kong and Paris, as the women’s game takes another leap forward on the international stage.
New Zealand Rugby will kick off a new fouryear licence in 2020 and is in talks with sharing the event with Fiji in the future.
NZR chief rugby officer Nigel Cass said the schedule reflected both the success of the New Zealand Sevens over the past two years and World Rugby’s commitment to grow the women’s game.
‘‘Watching the women’s and
men’s finals played back to back in front of a packed stadium in 2019 was an absolute highlight for players and fans.
‘‘We’re thrilled to have the
chance to repeat that format in 2020 with a full women’s field.’’
The final format for the 2020 New Zealand Sevens was yet to be finalised given the challenges
about hosting the men’s and women’s draws over two days, Cass said.
‘‘We are working with World Rugby to establish the best for
mat for all of our stakeholders and are confident we’ll deliver another great experience for players and fans.’’
Cass said NZR was talking to
World Rugby and the Fiji Rugby Union about hosting the event in Fiji during the 20202023 cycle.
‘‘Everyone has seen the contribution of the Fijian rugby com munity to the success of the tournament in Hamilton both on the field and in the stands.
‘‘An option being looked at is alternating the tournament between Hamilton and Fiji and early negotiations are promising.’’
Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive John O’Connor said it was an exciting time for Fiji’s rugby community.
‘‘We are grateful to NZR for offering to alternate the hosting of the HSBC New Zealand Sevens with Fiji and we’re confident of delivering an amazing experience for everyone involved.
‘‘Fijian fans would undoubtedly turn out in their thousands to support the tournament and we believe large volumes of overseas rugby fans would come along to experience Fiji’s hospitality and passion for sevens rugby.’’ — NZME