'There is a few distractions' - Highlanders star Ben Smith on daughter's bizarre U5 rugby games

All Blacks and Highlanders star Ben Smith says attending his daughter Annabelle's under-fives matches has been bizarre and entertaining.

Smith, 31, told reporters this afternoon that the kids in his daughter's under-fives team are still learning to focus and play the game of rugby.

"In under-fives there isn't too much kicking," said Smith.

"There is a few distractions, like the last couple weeks we played at Southern and there was a playground down the back, so a few of the kids took off to the playground."

At another fixture of Annabelle's it was a rogue horse that stole the attention of players.

"Then we played at the top of Green Island, the top grounds and there was a horse, so a few of the kids took off to feed that horse.

"You got to watch where we play these games at under-five level. They need to put them at an isolated ground somewhere in the middle of nowhere, with no farm animals."

Smith has been named to start for the Highlanders on Saturday in his side's match against the Lions in Dunedin.