Smith poised to do what he loves for 150th time

Ben Smith.
There's no safer player under the high ball in world rugby than ''Ben from Accounts''. Photo: ODT files
Always a joy, never a chore. Highlanders fullback Ben Smith will bring up an impressive milestone tomorrow night.

The 32-year-old will play his 150th Super Rugby game for the franchise when the Highlanders jostle with the Crusaders in Christchurch. He is the most-capped player in the Highlanders' history and he is not far outside the top 10 most-capped Super Rugby players of all time.

That honour belongs to former Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett. He managed a staggering 202 appearances.

But we can all agree Smith brings more razzmatazz - it was not a close call.

Since making his debut in 2009, Smith has entertained us with the way he ghosts into gaps.

He has scored a 190 points but has saved many, many more. There are no statistics for that but his ability in the air has been invaluable for the Highlanders and the All Blacks.

There is no safer player under the high ball in world rugby than ''Ben from Accounts''.

He is also a wonderfully versatile player who is equally adept on the wing or at fullback. But perhaps most impressive of all is Smith seldom makes mistakes.

You cannot count on one hand the number of bad games he has had because he just does not have bad games. He has played largely error-free rugby week after week for 10 years.

And it has never been a burden for Smith. He has loved every moment of it. Even that ''tinnie'' Mitch Hunt dropped goal a couple of years back. Well, maybe not that moment.

''For me it has always been a team I've loved,'' he said.

''At the end of the day it has been a really easy choice when it is contract renewal [time] to stick around and try and play for a team that I love.

''Obviously, I've got some good memories from on the field ... but over the years I've got some great memories of sharing some really good times with good mates at the Highlanders and those will be the memories that I actually take away.''

Born and raised in Dunedin, Smith honed his fledgling rugby skills at King's High School and then at Green Island. He still takes a keen interest in what is happening at Miller Park. He was at the venue to watch Green Island beat Kaikorai 43-29 at the weekend.

While Smith will join French club Pau after the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year, he has shown tremendous loyalty and has made a big contribution to the Highlanders, coach Aaron Mauger said.

''He has certainly left a massive legacy here and created the path for the guys that follow,'' Mauger said.

''We'll do everything we can just to make it special and hopefully that allows Ben go out on Friday night and play his game.''

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