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All Black quits Top 14 side and returns home

By AFP
Tuesday 23 Feb 2021

NEWS: Two-time World Cup winner Conrad Smith has left his role as head of player development with French Top 14 side Pau having returned home to New Zealand, the club announced on Tuesday.

Smith, 39, joined Pau in 2015 after the All Blacks won a second successive Rugby World Cup title. He played three seasons in France before joining the club's coaching staff.

"Forced to go back to New Zealand for family reasons, the current health situation does not allow for a return to France under normal conditions for Conrad and his family," Pau said in a statement.

"[The club] and Conrad have always maintained a sincere and honest relationship, and it's in keeping with this that the two parties have agreed to this decision."

Smith will continue to work with the club on regional-based assignments in New Zealand.

"It's a difficult decision to take but is necessary given the health situation and my personal situation," he said.

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