Aaron Smith set to return ahead of schedule
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All Blacks and Highlanders scrumhalf Aaron Smith is on track to return against the Sunwolves in a fortnight.
Smith injured his ankle in round six against the Blues at Eden Park and had initially been ruled out for six weeks but looks set to beat that timeframe.
"'Nuggy' is travelling pretty well, as you'd expect," Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said on Wednesday.
"They've [Smith and fiancee Teagan Voykovich] just had news that they are having a baby boy so there didn't look like there was anything wrong with his ankle when he was bouncing up and down with that news," Mauger said.
"Hopefully he"l be back – it probably won't be next week but the following week for the Sunwolves fixture [in Tokyo]."
Smith's early return would be a significant boost for the southern franchise.
Although Kayne Hammington played very well against the Hurricanes on Friday Smith is still the All Blacks' No 1 halfback and his experience will be important for what shapes as a tricky trip to Japan.
Luke Whitelock won't be out for long despite being ruled out of the Crusaders clash with a calf strain.
"He picked that up with about 15 minutes to go last week against the Hurricanes," Mauger said.
"He's miss the is week obviously and hopefully be back next week [against the Blues], it's nothing too serious."
