Toilet fling thoughtless not sleazy, says woman
Smith scandal woman says she had known All Black for a long time and they didn’t have sex, writes Laura Walters.
AARON Smith may have paid a heavy price for his toilet-tryst at Christchurch Airport – but the woman he was with maintains there was nothing ‘‘sleazy’’ about their encounter and they didn’t have sex.
The woman has decided it’s time to set the record straight because of ‘‘inaccurate rumours, invasive harassment and significant breaches of privacy’’ and, although she wouldn’t elaborate on what happened in the bathroom, said she would ‘‘confirm it was not of a sleazy nature’’.
Smith was seen entering a disabled toilet with the woman after the test against the Springboks in Christchurch in September. And after the incident became public, he was suspended from the All Blacks for one game and made the decision to travel home from South Africa, where the team was playing at the time.
The woman said she had known Smith for a long time and had been in a relationship with him in the past but was not currently in a relationship with Smith or anyone else.
The pair entered the bathroom in order to have a private conversation in a private place. ‘‘It was a thoughtless act,’’ she said. ‘‘I concede a family bathroom was not the most appropriate place to do this. I will not be elaborating on what happened behind closed doors but can confirm it was not of a sleazy nature.’’ The woman said she respected Smith and while the decision to enter the accessible bathroom together was a ‘‘reflection on our joint lack of personal judgement’’, it should not reflect negatively on Smith as a player. ‘‘I respect Aaron as an athlete and do not consider it is appropriate to publicly discuss his private life or my friendship with him. It does however take two to tango and I hold myself responsible for my involvement in the incident. ‘‘I can confirm my connection with Aaron, both presently and in the past has always been consensual and I have no complaints about his conduct or his demeanour towards myself. ‘‘In the years I have known Aaron he has always expressed his commitment to the All Blacks as being paramount and has openly described his passion for rugby as being his primary focus in life.’’ The woman said she was ‘‘truly remorseful’’ for the hurt caused by the incident. And although she had been in contact with Smith since, she would now like to move on. ‘‘I have been in contract with Aaron since the incident and am satisfied with the way he has publicly responded to the situation,’’ she said. ‘‘I am unaware of his private explanation to his partner and do not wish to comment on this. I have not been contacted by the NZRU but do not believe this is necessary as this is a private matter. I am genuinely apologetic to all parties involved but would now like to move on from the incident.’’
‘ I concede a family bathroom was not the most appropriate place to do this.’