Ben Smith (c) celebrates scoring a try for the Highlanders. Photo: Getty ImagesNew Zealand World Cup winners Ben Smith and Aaron Cruden will join Japan's Kobe Steelers, following in the footsteps of other high-profile compatriots like Dan Carter. Cruden and Smith will begin playing for the team when Japan's Top League rugby union competition resumes next season in January 2021 after this season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Smith, the sixth-highest try scorer in New Zealand history, will join from France's Pau. He has 84 caps and was part of the All Blacks team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 31, 2020 14:48 UTC