Sevens is not for me, Smith says

Highlanders captain Ben Smith is not having any second thoughts about turning his back on the chance of an Olympic gold medal.

A story surfaced last week that New Zealand Rugby was prepared to let players join the New Zealand sevens team late if they were keen.

It had not fully closed the door on any top-line All Black who wanted to play the shorter version of the game.

Smith, who won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in sevens in 2010 at Delhi, has long been suggested as an obvious fit for the New Zealand sevens side.

But he turned down the opportunity last year and is still standing firm, with the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro less than 100 days away.

Smith said this week he had no interest in joining the national sevens side.

He had plenty to concentrate on with the Highlanders and their Super rugby title defence.

"My focus is fully on this Highlanders team at the moment. I haven't thought about it, to be honest,'' Smith said.

He said the focus for him was playing well for the Highlanders and that started with a good game against the Chiefs in Hamilton tonight.

He would face off against Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie, who has had an electric season so far and been touted for the All Blacks.

"He is playing great rugby. He is a guy that we are going to have to limit his chances. He has been good to watch but I hope we don't make him look too good this weekend.''

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