All Blacks vice-captain Ben Smith is expected to miss eight test matches this year while he takes a sabbatical.

Smith is expected to continue playing until the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin on August 26th.

He will then be on leave during matches against the Wallabies, Barbarians, France, Scotland and Wales.

The good news for Highlanders fans is that Smith will be available for this weekend's quarter-finals showdown with the Crusaders in Christchurch.