Steve Hepburn

Ben Smith wanted to play for the Highlanders against the British and Irish Lions but his country called.

Surely it must happen — one of the most unwanted records in the sport must be broken.

Charlie Voight just bleeds blue and gold.

Highlanders fullback Ben Smith will not play for the franchise against the British and Irish Lions.

A return home with the skipper back in the side — the Highlanders all of a sudden have plenty of selection options to take on the Waratahs tomorrow night.

He is back to being a happy hooker but for a time there Ash Dixon admits he did not know what the future held.

Highlanders assistant coach Scott McLeod played more than a straight bat yesterday.

Tickets go on sale later next month for the Bledisloe Cup match in Dunedin with plenty of confidence the game will be sold out.

The African journey awaits Warren Kearney.

If this was a horse race, Scott McLeod is coming from the back of the field and heading for the front.

The Highlanders are likely to lose one of their stars but will welcome back another as the side stops in Perth to face a resurgent Force on Saturday.

It does not rain often in South Africa.

Otago Spirit captain Angie Sisifa has been named in the Black Ferns squad to play in a series of matches next month in preparation for the World Cup later in the year.

The Highlanders will have to make do without their main man at the back for another week.

The Highlanders are looking to make a statement when they take on the Bulls in Pretoria, wanting to do better than just play "good footy".

A love of the game has led John Keenan to pick up the whistle and he is encouraging others like him to do the same.

The game may be worldwide but it still remains the same.

A calf injury to Luke Whitelock at training has further stripped the loose forward stocks of the Highlanders as the side heads to the high veldt to tackle the Bulls.

The days of tired, cramped bodies getting off the plane in South Africa and taking a week to get back up to speed appear to be a thing of the past.