Star All Blacks Halfback Shamed After Sexual Encounter In An Airport Disabled Toilet

Star All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has been sent home from New Zealand's rugby tour to South Africa in shame, after allegations of a likely sexual encounter in a disabled toilet at Christchurch Airport last month.

Smith, considered by most experts as the world's best halfback, entered a disabled toilet at Christchurch Airport on September 18; the day after the All Blacks played the Springboks in the South Island city.

Though only two people know exactly what happened in there, one unnamed witness, who wrote to the New Zealand Herald, says it was likely of a sexual nature. Another person is alleged to have recorded the "noises."

"The pair were in the bathroom for 5-10 minutes and from the noises coming out of the bathroom there was absolutely no question what the couple were doing in there," the witness wrote.

"Mr Smith then came out of the room on his own straightening up his white checked shirt and black dress pants [the All Blacks uniform they were all wearing at the time].

"About a minute later, the young lady comes out of the same toilet cubicle looking equally suspicious. I myself did not have a problem with this… my wife however is protesting that this is disgusting for a public figure to do this."

Some bloke recorded the sounds coming from the toilet Aaron Smith and his female friend were sharing. Wow! That's a bit over the top.

— Jim Kayes (@JimKayes)October 5, 2016

The All Blacks have banned Smith for one game – the upcoming test against South Africa – and sent him home to New Zealand, just two days after New Zealand arrived.

The action was set in motion by the All Blacks camp themselves, and the punishment was decided by the team's leadership group.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew – recently underfire for his organisation's poor responses to a stripper scandal and a rugby player who escaped conviction for an assault charge – agreed with the All Blacks decision.

"This was really bad decision-making by Aaron, which reflects poorly on him and on the team," Tew said, in a statement.

"We are taking action to improve the culture of our game and are about to embark on an independent review of respect and responsibility in our professional player environment."

Aaron Smith. Tut tut.
One should know that every action you do in a public place is under scrutiny as an All Black.
— Melanie D. (@melulater) October 5, 2016

Smith, who plays for the Otago Highlanders in Super Rugby, will receive a misconduct hearing in Wellington when he returns to New Zealand.

The incident isn't the 27-year-old's first in the media limelight. An ex-girlfriend is understood to have broken up with him after he slept famous Kiwi escort Lisa Lewis, while a nude picture of him, sent via Snapchat, was leaked two years ago.