Star halfback in no hurry to leave Dunedin

All Black halfback Aaron Smith has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for another four years. Photo by Gerard O'Brien
All Black halfback Aaron Smith has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for another four years. Photo by Gerard O'Brien

All Black and Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith says he is in no hurry to leave Dunedin and its special lifestyle.

Smith (26) yesterday extended his New Zealand Rugby contract to the end of the 2019 season, the 41-test All Black committing to New Zealand, Highlanders and Manawatu rugby.

There was never any doubt about him staying with the Super rugby champions as the nippy halfback prides himself on loyalties at all levels.

'' . . . I just wanted to be loyal to the teams that wanted me and I wanted to give back to the Highlanders the best that I can.

''When NZ Rugby offered the deal, and me and the agent had to ask the Highlanders and Manawatu if they were keen to sign for that long, they were both pretty quick answers and it made my choice easier. It makes it very easy to say yes.''

Smith described Dunedin as ''small-town people but in a little city''.

''I'm from a small town [Feilding] and that made it easier for me to come down here.

''I was up with the Blues and the traffic and the fast city life was pretty hard.

''I really enjoy here - 10 minutes and I'm at training and if you hit one red light, you're moaning that traffic is hard.

''It's a good place with good people and the stadium is very special.''

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