Smith has remained in New Zealand while the rest of the squad on Sunday departed Dunedin. It will mark his second - and final - All Blacks enforced rest week.
Leaving out the 32-year-old All Black against the Sunwolves means he will be able to re-charge at home ahead of the Highlanders' home clash with the Chiefs Saturday week.
However, the Sunwolves aren't the easy beats of previous years and the Highlanders can expect a heck of a challenge from the Tony Brown coached side.
