Now he may play for neither.
Playing in his 128th record-setting game for the Highlanders in Christchurch on Saturday, Smith was forced off the field early in the second half.
He went away to have a concussion test and did not return to the field of play. Instead, Matt Faddes played fullback for the rest of the game.
Smith will have to go through concussion protocols this week but it is the second head knock of the season.
He picked one up in the first game of the season and missed the following two games.
Whether he is right to play the Lions for the national side will depend how fast he can clear concussion tests but caution is always favoured in these cases.
For a guy who missed just four games on the road to 100 games for the Highlanders, it has been a tough year injury-wise for the All Black fullback.
On top of his two-game absence at the start of the year, he missed one game with a hamstring strain and then did not travel to South Africa and Australia because of an ankle sprain, missing a further three games.
Smith (31) had a clause written into his contract that he could play for the Highlanders against the Lions but had to pull out as he will be in the All Black squad preparing to play Samoa in Auckland on June 16.
The first test against the Lions is in Auckland on June 24.
Fellow All Black Ryan Crotty left the field for the Crusaders in the second half.
He has damaged his ribs and will miss two weeks, creating yet another headache for All Black coach Steve Hansen.
Faddes also injured his hand late in the match on Saturday and his availability for the Lions game is uncertain.