All-black Smith stands down from Test against Wallabies after misconduct verdict

New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith has stood down from Saturday’s Test against Australia after being found guilty of serious misconduct by New Zealand Rugby.

The World Cup winner had already been suspended for the All Blacks’ final match of the Tri-nations against South Africa after admitting he joined a “female friend’’ in a public toilet just before he and his team-mates flew from Auckland for the game.

Misconduct proceedings against Smith followed the incident at Christchurch Airport last month, which came after the All Blacks’ win over South Africa the night before.

Smith, who was given a formal warning, voluntarily stood down from the Australia fixture and forfeited his selection fees.

New Zealand Rugby general manager Neil Sorensen, who chaired the hearing panel, said: “Aaron presented himself as genuine, honest and incredibly remorseful. We have also taken into account the fact that the very public nature of this incident has had a significant impact on him personally.

“We accepted that he is genuine about wanting to improve himself and note that he has acknowledged he will need the support of his family, friends and rugby to move forward.

“We also noted that Aaron had already made a very public apology to his partner, friends and family, team-mates, his employer and rugby fans and he had already served a oneweek stand-down.”