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Ben Smith says he will be no more than a spectator when the Super Rugby Aotearoa gets under way next month.
Bordeaux-Begles are back at the top of the Top 14 and increased their advantage over Toulon and Toulouse.
Racing 92 dominated the second half to beat Pau before La Rochelle were beaten by Toulon at Stade Mayol.
After a run of six defeats in their last seven Top 14 games, Simon Mannix has stepped down as Pau's sporting director.
Clermont Auvergne had to settle for a draw against Racing 92, while Lyon held on to beat Pau in a thrilling day of Top 14 action.
The Top 14's leading two both won on Sunday, but it was Toulouse's bonus-point success that grabbed the attention.
Zebre led at half-time of their European Challenge Cup match at La Rochelle, but the hosts fought back in stunning fashion on Friday.
Toulouse ended 2018 on a high note, dishing out a crushing defeat to Toulon in one of three Top 14 games on Sunday.
Ben Smith's lengthy association with New Zealand Rugby will end after the 2019 World Cup when he makes the switch to Top 14 side Pau.
There were wins for Pau and Grenoble over Worcester Warriors and Agen respectively in the European Challenge Cup.
Montpellier put Toulouse to the sword, Piula Faasalele's dismissal proving to be costly as last year's runners-up scored 10 tries.
Mathieu Bastareaud was sent off but Toulon fought back to claim their first Top 14 victory of the campaign.
Jarrod Evans kicked 11 points as Cardiff Blues defeated Pau 16-10 to reach the final of the European Challenge Cup.
Stade Francais' reign as European Challenge Cup holders is over after defeat to Pau, who joined Newcastle Falcons in the semi-finals.
Montpellier ran in five tries to claim a bonus-point victory over Castres, maintaining their position as Top 14 leaders.
Victory over Stade Francais moved Racing 92 to within four points of Top 14 leaders Montpellier but Toulon slipped to defeat at Oyonnax.
