Exit door.

All Blacks star Ben Smith will leave New Zealand and his side the Highlanders following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan after agreeing a deal with French club Pau.

Pau club president Bernard Pontneau told French broadcaster RMC Sport on Tuesday that the 32-year-old will join the Top 14 outfit after next year’s global showpiece in Japan. The deal however, is only short-term, with Smith set to move to an unnamed Japanese club in 2020.

“We would have liked to have had this sorted earlier than this.” Pontneau said.

“He is is a great player, who will bring a lot to the team.”

““He will have a big impact with the group and our young players will be able to learn from a player of his magnitude. He’ll make them move faster.”

Meanwhile Ardie Savea has backed out of a verbal agreement to join Pau, opting to instead stay in New Zealand, while Kieran Read is reportedly edging closer to a move to Racing 92.