All Black Ben Smith will be seeking to help the Highlanders overcome a major Super Rugby hoodoo and celebrate a personal milestone when they play the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
If selected, Smith will join Anton Oliver, Tony Brown and Jimmy Cowan among those who have played 100 games for the franchise.
The 28-year-old who made his debut for the Highlanders in 2009 has remained remarkably injury-free and become one of the key members of the All Blacks squad.
His fifth-placed Highlanders are fresh off a 45-24 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein but they have invariably struggled again the Force, both home and away.
They have lost their past six matches against the West Australian outfit, who sit at the bottom of this year's standings with just two wins.
The Highlanders' past win was a shaky 8-7 result in 2007.
It is an awkward game for the southerners who, once they have played the Force, finish their regular season against the Chiefs in Invercargill followed by away games against the Hurricanes and Blues.
"The Force are a really tough team at home and have tipped over a lot of sides," Smith said.
"They are fresh off a bye and beat the Waratahs in their last game.
"Tactically they are going to be a different team to play from those in South Africa. So our preparation will have to be accurate."
Super Rugby's leading tryscorer this season Waisake Naholo is expected to make his return from the heel injury which kept the winger out of last week's match.
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