The Highlanders are set to be without Aaron Smith for at least a month after the influential All Blacks halfback suffered a serious ankle injury.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger told reporters Smith would be sidelined from Super Rugby for “four to six weeks” after taking a blow late in last Friday’s loss to the Blues in Auckland.
Mauger will seek another squad halfback to back up inexperienced pair Kayne Hammington and Folau Fakatava.