Highlanders captain and fullback Ben Smith will start for the side in its final pre-season game against the Waratahs in Queenstown tomorrow.
Smith, who was a key part of the Highlanders and All Blacks last year as they both bagged titles, has had a lengthy break and he admitted it has been a good rest on the sidelines.‘‘I quite enjoyed the time off, had a bit of time with family.
I did not do too much in November and then in December I went for the odd run, mountain biking and all that,'' he said.
‘‘January rolled around and started to get back into training.
‘‘It is good mentally to get away and then freshen up and then when you come back you just can't wait to get out there and play rugby. Away from rugby, you just think of other things, you spend time with your family, watch a bit of cricket, and there is enough other things going on.
‘‘It does go pretty quick. I had a good summer, the weather was good. Now I'm just looking forward to Super rugby kicking off and to another year.
‘‘Family puts everything in perspective. Rugby is awesome but it is just a game, at the end of the day.''
Smith (29) quickly got rid of the cobwebs. He has some tough fitness sessions under his belt and the lungs have been hurting at times.
But it is all for the greater good.
‘‘The body is feeling really good. I have been training pretty hard for the last couple of weeks. Any niggles have sort of gone away.
‘‘I'm starting to feel desperate to play footy again. I can't wait to get out there and play alongside the team on Friday night.''
Smith brought up his century of games for the Highlanders last year, leading the team to glory over the Hurricanes in the final in Wellington last July.
At 29, Smith is something of a veteran these days for the southern franchise but said he did not feel any different.
‘‘I do not feel any older. If I can, I just want to help out and hopefully give the team a bit of direction, along with Shane [Christie], and really just bring a lot of energy and excitement about the season.''
Smith said winning the title last year was great but that was behind the side.
‘‘I think we have got a really good squad but we are going to have to work really hard because there are 17 other teams going for that trophy as well. It is going to be a tough competition.
‘‘We start from fresh, really. It is a new year. Last year means nothing, really, when the season kicks off. If we think we deserve anything, then we'll get rolled over.‘‘We have got to earn everything we get. You do not get anything given to you in Super rugby.
‘‘I think we can take a bit of confidence [from last year]. If we can play good rugby, then we can really compete in this competition. But that was last year and it is a new year. This team is looking forward to kicking off this competition.''
Smith will start at the back for the Highlanders in an exciting-looking backline in what coaches have described as their first-choice team.
Luke Whitelock gets the start on the blindside flank with Elliot Dixon, while Daniel Lienert-Brown starts ahead of Brendon Edmonds at loosehead prop.
