Departing Highlanders fullback Ben Smith was unable to play in his side's final game of the season at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night, but he did get to spend some time on the field with his daughter in a touching moment.
During the match against the Bulls, Smith was on kicking tee and waterboy duties, so he decided to enlist the help of his three-year-old daughter Annabelle - and the special moment stole the limelight.
Young Amarelle, wearing a number 15 jersey with the word 'Dad' emblazoned below it, came onto the field when Josh Ioane lined up a conversion in the first half, and spoke to her dad as the Highlanders pivot slotted the conversion.
Smith, who is leaving at the end of the season to join French club Pau, was unable to play due to a hamstring injury sustained last month.
The video was then posted on the All Blacks' Facebook page, generating nearly 8,500 likes and 1000 shares in 12 hours.
Before the match, Smith was presented with a special jersey by the Highlanders as thanks for his services to the club.
The jersey is framed and consists of the four teams that Smith has represented so far in his career: Otago, Green Island, the Highlanders and King's High School.
In April he made his 150th appearance for the club and will leave as the side's most-capped player.
The Highlanders went onto draw 24-24 against the Bulls, and are now unlikely to make the playoffs.
Newshub.
