Ben Smith ruled out for up to 8 weeks

All Blacks & Highlanders fullback Ben Smith has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Smith suffered the injury during the 31-31 draw with the Chiefs at the weekend.

Highlanders assistant coach Glenn Delaney confirmed on Tuesday that Smith had suffered soft tissue damage only and could miss the remainder of the regular Super Rugby season.

"He's had a high hamstring strain so he's going to be out for six to eight weeks," Delaney said.

"All the right things are being done and he'll be back as quick as he can be with the right rehab."

"Six to eight weeks, from how the injury looked, you could say that was very lucky,"

"Obviously in New Zealand rugby we've got a few big injuries this year, but that's the game we play.

"He's already in the mindset that he'll be back quicker than six to eight."