The experienced All Black centre Conrad Smith won't play in the Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies in Sydney as he's returned home to be with his pregnant wife.
The All Black centre Conrad Smith won't be a part of the Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Sydney tonight.
Conrad Smith on the burst. Steinlager Series. 2nd Test All Blacks v England at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand. Saturday 14 June 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Coach Steve Hansen had suggested the 77-Test veteran may return from Wellington if his first child had been born.
However Smith and his wife are still waiting for the arrival.
It means Malakai Fekitoa will start at centre and Ryan Crotty will be in the reserves.
Hansen says they're used to having disruptions and they plan for those sort of things so they should be fine.
Hansen says Fekeitoa faced a big challenge in his first two Tests against England and did well.
Skipper Richie McCaw isn't concerned about the late change either, saying it's happened enough times over the past and they coped in the last Test without Smith, who broke his thumb so Fekitoa was the last man to play at centre so him slotting in will be fine.
Rain is forecast for the match in Sydney.
On Sunday morning the Springboks host Argentina in Pretoria.
