28 May 2013

Hansen says better Smith has a break than give the game away

6:12 pm on 28 May 2013

The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he's entirely comfortable with another one of his senior players taking some time away from the game.

Centre Conrad Smith has activated a clause in his contract and will skip the end-of-year tour to Europe - the 31-year-old 66-test veteran admits he's finding it tougher to play Super Rugby and be available for up to 14 tests each year.

Hansen says Smith's sabbatical appears the only logical way to get a decent break, given the current lack of a global rugby season.

Steve Hansen says it's inevitable we'll see more sabbaticals until a global rugby season is established with at least a 16-week break.