Toyota Verblitz’s legendary All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith believes Super Rugby needs to reintroduce club sides from Japan and Argentina.
Smith, 35, who starred in his debut League One season with eight tries, spoke to fans on social media and discussed a range of topics.
“Super Rugby needs Japan and Argentina in,” said the 2015 World Cup winner.
The Tokyo-based Sunwolves, who also played games in Singapore and Hong Kong, featured in Super Rugby from 2016 – 2020 and was overseen by the Japan Rugby Football Union.
Poor results and the onset of the COVID pandemic were major factors in the JRFU being unable to negotiate a new contract with SANZAAR and announced that they would withdraw the team in March 2019.
The Sunwolves, whose squad featured the likes of Semisi Masirewa, Yutaka Nagare and Kotaro Matsushima, won only nine games during their six seasons in Super Rugby.
Argentina’s Jaguares joined Super Rugby in 2016 and finished as runners-up in 2019 after losing 19-3 to the Crusaders in the final.
The Jaguares were not considered for the the pandemic-hit regionalised formats of Super Rugby in 2021 and released the bulk of their players from their contracts to pursue opportunities in Europe.
Buenos Aires-based Jaguares, whose star-laden squad included Nicolas Sanchez and Pablo Matera, finally disbanded in 2022 due to the expansion of Super Rugby Americas but there has been talk that the axing of financially-stricken Melbourne Rebels has opened the door for an Argentinian team to join Super Rugby from 2026.
Smith, who has 125 caps for his country, is contracted to Toyota until 2027, but hasn’t ruled out a return to Super Rugby in the future.
When asked if he’d return to the Highlanders, Smith said: “In 2027, if my old legs let me.”
The Highlanders' most capped player, who returns to Japan in September, also said that he’d love to play for the All Blacks again if their overseas restrictions were lifted.
“If rules were different and I got a call, I'd come back in a heartbeat for a team I love so much.”
The 2023 Rugby World Cup runner-up was also asked if he’d ever considered a move to the NRL.
"I had a few convos once with my agent and (Wests) Tigers post Under 20s. League is a very tough game though. I’m not known for putting on shots. I do think I would have enjoyed it. Unsure what position though.”
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