Not messing around.

It looks like the Highlanders are not messing around ahead of Super Rugby Aotearoa, New Zealand’s brand new domestic rugby competition that is set to kick-off next month.

The Dunedin side officially announced the signing of Nehe Milner-Skudder today and now look set to add another All Blacks to their ranks in the form of the legendary Ben Smith.

Smith left the Highlanders last year following the Rugby World Cup to take up a contract with French side Pau but according to TVNZ’s One News, he is now “odds-on” to return to his old club.

Smith, a Super Rugby winner with the Highlanders in 2015 and a veteran of 84 tests for the All Blacks, is still regarded as one of the very best back-three players in the world.