An infected leg means All Blacks fullback Ben Smith will miss just his second game in six years for the Highlanders when they play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday

Smith has played 87 of a possible 88 matches for the Highlanders since his debut in 2009, remarkable durability for a wiry but not overly robust player.

But he has been laid low by an infected leg which had him on a drip in a Sydney hospital for three days and is now back in Dunedin on antibiotics, resting and regaining his strength.

The Highlanders co-captain will be replaced at fullback by Trent Renata, who has impressed in cameo appearances this season.

“Ben is starting to come right but we need certainty in our team selection, so we have ruled him out,” Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said.

Smith grazed his leg the day before the game, playing after fluid was drained when the leg swelled up.

“He gutsed out the 80 minutes against the Waratahs but he was taken to hospital the day after the game,” Joseph said.

“It will gradually come right but it certainly won’t be good enough to play in a big game against the Crusaders.”

Strong scrummaging prop Ma’afu Fia will also miss the game, undergoing tests after suffering a seizure at training last Thursday.

Joseph said the players were “brassed off” with themselves after their 44-16 loss to the Waratahs, and were determined to perform better in Christchurch.

Joseph will be watching closely the Chiefs-Blues and Force-Brumbies matches, which should clarify what the Highlanders need to achieve against the Crusaders.

“We could be second or seventh the way I see it.”

The Highlanders could find themselves back in Durban, Sydney, Christchurch or Dunedin next week but he did not find that unsettling.

“I think it’s a good thing. We haven’t been in that position (in the play-offs) for 12 years.”