New Zealand Rugby Union

There are five uncapped players in Cheika's 33-man squad but Samu who signed with a two-year deal with the Brumbies this week isn't one of them.

Rugby Australia had submitted an official request to New Zealand Rugby for the release of the Australian born Samu but approval was yet to come through.

While World Rugby's regulations force the release of players for Test duty in June, there is a sub-clause that allows unions to deny such requests when the player holds dual eligibility.

The messages appear to show Smith had convinced the woman he was caught in an airport toilet with last year to lie in a legal document, had mislead his coach, and had attempted to deceive his partner.

On Thursday, New Zealand Rugby confirmed to Newshub based on the new information, it's planning to "investigate the Aaron Smith matter further".

"It is effectively an employment issue that requires investigation," the spokesperson said.