All Blacks centre Conrad Smith is in serious doubt for Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies in Sydney as he rushes home for the birth of his child.

Coach Steve Hansen has confirmed that rookie Malakai Fekitoa will slot in at outside centre if Smith is unable to return in time for the match at ANZ Stadium.

Crusaders centre Ryan Crotty has been called up as the bench replacement after Smith was released to return to New Zealand to be with his wife Lee-Ann, who is expecting their first child.