Departing Highlanders captain Ben Smith has been honoured with a touching music video tribute, featuring former teammate Joe Wheeler.
Smith could play his final match for the southern franchise, when they face the Crusaders in their Super Rugby quarter-final at Christchurch Stadium on Friday night.
With that in mind, the Highlanders released a tribute song for the All Blacks star, entitled 'Sweet Bender'.
The song, sung by Wheeler, is set to the tune of Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' classic.
"I quite enjoyed it, actually," said Smith at the team's captains run. "He put in lots of time and effort, and he's giving me stick at the same time, but that's Joey."
Smith was named at fullback for Friday's clash, after missing the last seven weeks with a hamstring injury.
The quarter-final will be Smith's 153rd Super Rugby outing, before he moves to French club Pau after the Rugby World Cup.
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