Ben Smith set to take All Black sabbatical - report

  • 16/07/2017
Ben Smith
Ben Smith. Photo credit: Getty

Injured All Blacks fullback Ben Smith is expected to take a sabbatical after the second Bledisloe Cup match according to reports.

The 31-year-old re-signed with New Zealand Rugby back in February after reportedly fielding big money overseas offers from cashed-up French clubs.

While he opted to remain in New Zealand, the new contract was thought to have in it a sabbatical clause similar to that in past NZR's agreements with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark confirmed the presence of the clause but couldn't say whether it was going to be activated this year.

"He's definitely got a sabbatical clause in his contract but I've got no idea when he's thinking of taking that," Clark told Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on Sunday Sport on RadioLIVE.

"That's something he'll maybe announce later in the week, I know he's got media later in the week, but it's something that only Ben will know at the moment."  

The clause allows Smith to explore overseas options whilst being eligible to return to New Zealand at a given time and immediately be available for All Blacks selection.

Should Smith choose to activate the clause after the second Bledisloe on August 26, he would miss eight Tests, including the remaining four Tests of the Rugby Championship, the third Bledisloe in Brisbane and all three of the All Blacks Tests on the end of year tour.

Smith hasn't graced the pitch since the All Blacks first Test against the Lions when he copped a third head knock for the season.

However, Clark was confident he'd be back for the Highlanders' Super Rugby finals series which kicks off against the Crusaders next Saturday.

"As long as he gets through training this week and doesn't knock himself around again he'll be good to go.

"Last time I saw him on Friday night he was raring to go."

Newshub.