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Woman in Smith bathroom tryst comes clean

Cape Town - The Aaron Smith toilet incident has taken a new turn after the woman involved says the pair didn't have sex in the airport bathroom.

The woman who was in the Christchurch Airport cubicle with the All Black has spoken out in order to set the record straight.

In a written statement, she said she would not elaborate on what happened in the bathroom "but can confirm it was not of a sleazy nature".

The woman, who the Stuff website did not identify, said initially she didn't want to talk publicly about the incident but changed her mind "due to the inaccurate rumours, invasive harassment and significant breaches of privacy".

Smith was seen entering a disabled toilet with a female after the Test against the Springboks in Christchurch in September.

He was travelling with the team at the time and wearing All Blacks gear.

After the news of the incident became public, the All Blacks suspended Smith for one game and he made the decision to travel home from South Africa, where the team was playing at the time.

Both Smith and the airport witnesses, who approached media with information about what they saw, have since issued public apologies.

On Friday, the woman contacted media in order to apologise for what she described as a "thoughtless act".

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, she said.

The pair entered the bathroom in order to have a private conversation in a private place, the woman 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.

The woman said she was "truly remorseful" for the hurt caused by the incident. However, she would now like to move on.

Smith's agent did not respond to requests for comment.

Here is the woman's full statement:

"The incident that occurred at Christchurch airport between Aaron and myself was a thoughtless act which resulted in the hurt of many people, and for that hurt I am truly remorseful. 

"Aaron and I have known each other for a number of years and have seen each other on and off in the past.  We do not follow each other on social media and I was unaware that he had entered into a relationship during this time.  I am not currently in a relationship with Aaron or with anybody else as indicated in the media.  

"While at the airport we wanted to have a private discussion in a private place, and 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.  

"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.  

"Therefore, although the incident was a reflection on our joint lack of personal judgement, I do not believe it should reflect negatively on him as a player or on the NZRU as a professional body.  

"I have been in contact with Aaron since the incident and am satisfied with the way he has publicly responded to the situation. 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."

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