Reports may have suggested Ben Smith is staying in New Zealand beyond 2017 but he's yet to commit to the Highlanders next season.
The 30-year-old was tabled big offers by French Top 14 outfit Pau and Aviva Premiership side Northampton, but last week it was reported he'd turned them down to remain in New Zealand.
Speaking at the squad naming for the preseason trial matches, coach Tony Brown seemed in the dark about any choices Smith had made beyond the Lions Tour and at the end of the Super Rugby season.
"It's 50/50 I guess," Brown said.
"Like the rest of New Zealand, we're not sure what Ben's going to do, but there's no doubt he'll make his decision pretty soon."
An injury that will keep Ash Dixon out of action for up to a month means that Ben Smith will be sole captain of the side in his absence.
"We can't replace Ash as co-captain at this stage, it just means Bender [Ben Smith] will be the captain."
Brown said it was good to have the All Blacks back minus Ben Smith, who will re-join the team on Monday.
"The All Blacks have been great, they're getting through their pre-season and they're not liking that.
"Them coming into our environment always creates energy... The rest of the team that have been doing six weeks of preseason have enjoyed them being involved.
"They're moaning a bit at the moment because they're doing a lot of hard work but they'll get to play in a couple of weeks."
Should Ben Smith leave the Highlanders at season's end, Brown identified a few potential replacements.
"Jason [Emery] did a great job for Manawatu [at fullback] and we wanted to explore the opportunity to play him there if Ben's not playing.
"Jona [Nareki] plays for Alhambra Union, he's only second year out of school so he's pretty exciting, a good fullback, we're a bit short of those at the moment so he's come in and trained with us pre-season."
The Highlanders open their season with a pre-season match against the Crusaders on 3 February.
Newshub.
