All Blacks and Highlanders fullback Ben Smith has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury.

Smith went down in a heap during the Highlanders’ 31-31 draw with the Chiefs, and initially there were fears that he had suffered a serious knee injury.

But the Highlanders confirmed on Tuesday that the 32-year-old had suffered soft tissue damage only, and is likely to miss the remainder of the regular Vodacom Super Rugby season.

‘Just a classic rugby incident where he got caught in a tackle and overextended,’ said Highlanders assistant coach Glenn Delaney. ‘All the right things are being done and he’ll be back as quick as he can with the right rehab.’

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