CHESHIRE
The reality of professional rugby is that it is a job and, sometimes in a job, a break is just what you need.
Everyone knows the feeling.
The never-ending grind, gradually losing enthusiasm as the days go by.
Too much of anything is never a good thing.
It is amazing what a bit of time away can do.
You come back refreshed, enthusiastic and ready to go.
That is no different for a rugby player — perhaps more so in a physical sense.Ben Smith has been playing the sport professionally for going on a decade.
He has been a regular in the All Blacks since 2012 and, for a long stretch, barely missed a game for the Highlanders.
The man has played a lot of rugby.That has got to take its toll — the constant knocks, the physical stress, in both training and games.
On top of that, the world rugby schedule is becoming more and more congested.
Top-level players are getting fewer breaks to recover from the season and, in the case of Smith, he has missed several games this year.
If he wants to get through to the next World Cup, perhaps a break is what he needs.
He, after all, should know his body better than anyone.
If he gives himself a few months to get his niggles sorted and re-energise himself, perhaps he can maintain his quality for one final push.
That word — quality — is key as well.
Anyone can push through and keep playing as long as they want.But that does not mean they will be able to do so at a high level.
Smith without his pace, agility and ability to take a knock would be a very different player to the one who has torn through defences the world over.
Of course, there is more to his game than just that, but why risk losing it?
You want him at his best and if 2019 is his goal it is hard to begrudge him doing what it takes to get there.
He has exemplified loyalty over the past decade and really owes nothing to anyone.
From a Highlanders perspective it is hard to argue either — he will be back for next season.
What’s not to like?
HEPBURN
In some ways, you can understand Ben Smith needs to have a break.
He has picked up a few injuries this year including a couple of worrying head knocks.
He has been a Highlander since 2009 and a regular All Black since 2012 so has been on the professional rugby cycle for a good few years. He would have seen more airports than most so mentally he may need a break.
It could well be time to have a spell.
But there are just a couple of issues which get into head-scratching territory about the whole Smith sabbatical option.
One is the fact he is taking some time off from a position most in New Zealand would die for.
Who lately has gone into the boss and asked for six months off so one can have a bit of a rest and some time out?
It just does not happen.
But apparently it can in the artificial world of professional sport in which the pressures are so much more. Turning up for 80 minutes once a week.
Sure it can be a grind but professional athletes are richly rewarded for it. Does anyone need a break from that?
But the main thing about the Smith break is his own place in the team.
Is Smith, the All Black vice captain, that much of an star that for his sake he can take time away from the game and let someone else take his place?
Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have had breaks away from the game but they were truly greats in the All Black jersey.
Smith is good, that we know for certain, but he is not quite up to the status of Carter and McCaw.
Can Smith afford to let a talent such as Damian McKenzie play fullback for the next 10 tests? Perhaps Israel Dagg will come out and get a run at fullback and have an absolute blinder. We all know how much All Black coach Steve Hansen loves Dagg and the Hawkes Bay man may get back in.
Now we probably know that Smith will come back for the Highlanders next year, play well and be straight back into the All Blacks. It is more than likely.
But never give a sucker an even break. By resting up Smith has left the door open, ever so slightly.If he stayed, it would never have been opened.