Biography
Aaron Luke Smith, born 21 November 1988 in Palmerston North, is one of the most electrifying half-backs New Zealand rugby has ever produced. Standing 171 cm and built for speed, precision, and tempo, Smith carved out a legendary career with the Highlanders, becoming their all-time caps leader before retiring from Super Rugby in 2023. Known for his crisp pass, sharp rugby brain, and relentless work rate, he became a cornerstone of the All Blacks for more than a decade, earning 124 caps and finishing as New Zealand’s second most-capped back.
A proud product of Feilding High School and of Ngāti Kahungunu descent, Smith’s rise began with Manawatu, flourished under Jamie Joseph at the Highlanders, and exploded onto the world stage with the All Blacks—culminating in World Cup glory in 2015 and a long run of elite performances right up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
List of Teams Played For
- Manawatu
- Highlanders
- Toyota Verblitz
- New Zealand U20
- Māori All Blacks
- New Zealand (All Blacks)
Rugby World Cups Played
- 2015 England – Winner
- 2019 Japan – Bronze
- 2023 France – Silver
Key Career Moments
Smith burst onto the provincial scene in 2008 with Manawatu, making immediate impact with key appearances in the Air New Zealand Cup. By 2009 he was the undisputed starter, showcasing the form that earned him a Super Rugby contract.
His Highlanders debut in 2011 marked the beginning of a remarkable 185-cap run. That same momentum carried him into the All Blacks setup, debuting in June 2012 against Ireland. By the following year he was New Zealand’s first-choice half-back, and in 2015 he started all knockout matches in the World Cup-winning campaign.
In 2016, Smith stepped into the iconic role of leading the All Blacks haka, guiding Ka Mate and Kapa o Pango in 35 tests. He reached the 50-test milestone later that year and became the most-capped scrum-half in All Blacks history in 2018, surpassing Justin Marshall.
In 2021 he hit the century mark, becoming the first Māori All Black to reach 100 tests. His final test came in the gripping 2023 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa. After closing his international chapter, he began a new adventure in Japan with Toyota Verblitz.