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Ben Smith red-carded on Pau debut
By Ian Cameron
Former All Blacks star Ben Smith made his debut for Pau today but it lasted just 51 minutes after he was red-carded during his side's clash with Stade Francais at the Stade Jean-Bouin in the Top 14.
The 84-times capped New Zealand back was shown a red for leading with the elbow into contact, and was duly sent from the field by referee Alexandre Ruiz.
The collision in the 51st minute left Stade hooker Lucas Da Silva on the floor and needing medical assistance.
The sending off would prove costly for Pau, who despite a late try for Lucas Rey, ran out 21 - 18 losers to their Parisian hosts.
It's far from an ideal start to Smith time in France, arriving in the French league following an illustrious and storied career in the sport to date.
The 2013 Nominee for World Player of the Year played 153 games for the Highlanders before he signed a contract with the French club. His All Blacks swansong at the Rugby World Cup in Japan didn't go as planned however, with head coach Steve Hansen preferring Beauden or Jordie Barrett over the 33-year-old.
Smith started against Namibia and Wales, came off the bench against South Africa and Canada and was not in the match-day 23 against Ireland or England. He played in all seven of the All Blacks' matches in 2015, starting in six.
Known as 'Bender' by many, Smith made his test debut in a 20-6 win against Italy in Milan on 14 November, 2009.
He represented New Zealand U21 and the sevens team with whom he won Commonwealth Games gold in 2010 in Delhi.
In August, 2013 he scored a personal-best three tries in a 47-29 win over the Wallabies. Smith became the 68th captain of the All Blacks on 16th June, 2017 against Samoa in Auckland.
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Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
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