Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa's rise to fame could go one step further tomorrow night in Sydney.

Fekitoa will be the favourite to start the Bledisloe Cup match at centre after starter Conrad Smith was flown back to New Zealand this morning with his wife in labour.

Coach Steve Hansen told media Smith was still a possibility to play, but he 'wasn't holding his breath'.

Crusader Ryan Crotty has been called into the squad, but the most likely scenario sees Fekitoa make his debut in the starting side in only his third test.

If New Zealand win they will set the record for consecutive test wins by a tier one nation.