Aaron Smith has served his one-match ban, and you can bet he'll be more determined than ever to make up for the embarrassment he caused himself and his teammates when he gets his next opportunity in the All Black jersey. But whether he should get another chance to perform his other job for the team is another question.
In my view, Smith simply cannot lead the Haka again.
Leading the All Blacks in this most iconic ritual is an honour reserved for leaders with mana who command respect. Revered players like Buck Shelford, Richie McCaw and Keven Mealamu were great leaders of the haka because their on-field performances were matched by the esteem in which they were held off it.
Smith is a brilliant player, and he's proven time and again he's the best halfback in the world. But the fallout from the revelations of his bathroom tryst mean that to see him lead the haka again, would be to disrespect the haka itself.
There was a great deal of speculation over who would lead the haka for the first test of 2016 against Wales - the first time the it was performed following the retirement of Richie McCaw.
I was surprised Smith was chosen to lead. He is obviously an excellent player: an on-field general with outstanding skill. But I struggle to understand how a player whose naked selfie has been shared around the social media generation could be bestowed such a role.
This latest incident puts it beyond doubt for me.
The reaction to his indiscretion has been hysterical. The coverage, unprecedented. Smith's made headlines across the world, his actions covered by some of the world's largest and most reputable media outlets.
In New Zealand, it's been horrendous. Wall-to-wall viral coverage has seen previous off-field incidents dug up, and 'hall of shame' athletes compared. Everyone from Joe Public to John Key (JOHN KEY?!) has had their say. We've watched videos of women leaving his flat. Videos of the toilet. It has been embarrassing.
He hasn't only embarrassed himself. Steve Hansen has a hard enough job as it is without having to sit and awkwardly explain why Smith was being sent home from South Africa.
Soon there will be a misconduct hearing, and his timing couldn't be worse. New Zealand Rugby's been hammered recently, and this incident has done nothing to aid their attempts to restore the game's tarnished image. Smith's tearful apology may have earned sympathy in some quarters, but it's unlikely to help him in his hearing. It certainly won't help him regain some the respect he lost so dramatically in a disabled toilet at Christchurch Airport.
Being an All Black is an honour. Leading the haka is a privilege reserved for a select few. Smith will be back, but unfortunately this incident means he should no longer lead from the front when the team perform their iconic pre-match ritual.
Tune into Radio LIVE for Sunday Sport with Andrew Gourdie and James McOnie - 2-6pm
