Publications
Partners
Wellington - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has dismissed rumours that have been circulating in the Australian media that scrumhalf Aaron Smith misinformed team management about the sex scandal at Christchurch Airport last year.
Smith is reported to have had sex with an unnamed woman in the airport's disabled toilets last October.
Smith was suspended for one Test and voluntarily stood down for another. He was then officially warned by New Zealand Rugby following the allegations.
On Thursday, Daily Mail Australia published what it said were messages between the unnamed woman and Smith. They claimed they proved he had misled All Blacks management as to the nature of their relationship.
"We dealt with this last year," Hansen told a news conference on Thursday. "We dealt with it decisively, there's nothing more I can add to that, but if there is anything more to say it will come from the New Zealand Rugby Union."
Hansen added that these fresh allegations would not distract Smith, who is starting in Saturday's opening Rugby Championship Test against Australia.
"He's in a great space in that he knows he's dealt with this issue and done the things he needed to do around this," Hansen said. "He's ready to play, he's excited to play."
