Aaron Smith has become one of the All Blacks' most prominent leaders. Photo / Photosport
First-choice All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has signalled a likely departure from international rugby following next year's World Cup.
Smith, about to depart with the team for their annual tour of the northern hemisphere, loaded a nostalgic post to his social media channels on Saturday morning which said this version
of the tour would be his last.
"Off on my last end of year tour. Still remember going on my first one back in 2012 like it was yesterday. Time flys [sic]," Smith captioned a photo of himself wheeling twin suitcases at Auckland Airport.
The veteran of 110 appearances for the All Blacks - the most by a halfback - is one of several senior members of the team who are expected to wear their last black jerseys in next year's World Cup in France.
Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick all fall within that bracket, while several others loom as prime candidates for sabbaticals or lucrative overseas contracts.
