All Blacks and Highlanders fullback Ben Smith is being heralded ahead of his 150th Super Rugby clash, expected to take part in this weekend's clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Smith, 32, will don the Highlanders jersey for the 150th time on Friday night, as the Dunedin side bid to end their current four match losing streak.
For assistant coach Mark Hammett, Smith's influence in the Highlanders' camp isn't anything to be taken lightly, with his impact felt at all levels of the club.
"He's instrumental in everything we do, every week," Hammet said.
"You guys probably don't get the opportunity to see what we see, what he does off the field."
"He's hugely optimistic. He is getting a bit older but he is always leading out in front every training. We love him here, the fans love him and he loves the area."
Hammett also noted Smith's attitude, setting a high standard for both himself and his teammates, regardless of the occasion.
"He just wants to win everything – doesn't matter what it is, it can be the smallest game or the biggest game, and he wants to win it.
"He is not arrogant or angry about it. It is just built in. And because of that, the others around him just feed off him.
"He's a guy that leads by example."
Smith's achievement of 150 matches shouldn't be taken lightly, with only nine players having notched 150 or more games in the competition's history.
"It's a massive number. [With] the intensity of these games, you add on close to 70 All Blacks games, I suspect he's played close to 50 for Otago - and his dear beloved Green Island I think he's on 49. He'd love to get another one of those as well."
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