Aaron Smith backs Malakai Fekitoa's return to international rugby

Aaron Smith has backed his New Zealand and Highlanders team-mate Malakai Fekitoa to come good in the final and deciding Test against British and Irish Lions in Auckland on Saturday.

Fekitoa's last appearance for New Zealand came in November last year during the encounter against Ireland in Dublin and he was not considered in the original squad for the three-match Test series against Lions.

The Highlanders centre had a chance of making to the squad for the second Test when Ryan Crotty was ruled out with a hamstring injury but Steve Hansen instead preferred uncapped Jack Goodhue as a cover.

Fekitoa, who was capped 23 times for his country finally got his chance after Sonny Bill Williams was slammed with a four-week ban for a shoulder charge on Lions' Anthony Watson and is in line to strengthen the midfield with Crotty highly doubtful for Saturday's clash.

Speaking about the comeback man, Smith said the 25-year-old is excited and raring to return to action.

"I saw him at breakfast this morning and it was a really good thing to see just how happy and excited he was to be back," said Smith.

"You could really see the happiness in his face, and it is really good to have him around.

"At the gym (on Monday), Mala always works pretty hard, and he gave a bit of energy to the group. He doesn't say much but through his body language and facial expression you could see he was really happy to be in the house."

Physicality has been the most talked aspect of the series and earlier in the day New Zealand flanker Jerome Kaino admitted that Lions came down hard in Wellington that worked in their favour.

Smith, who has seen Fekitoa work in close quarters at Highlanders believes the Tonga born centre has all the right attributes to deliver the goods on Saturday.

"He's a real physical player, and that suits his game. He's very confrontational, and has that take-nothing attitude. He'll go hard, he'll do his job really well and, if he gets the opportunity, he'll probably have a chip on his shoulder and maybe a bit of a no-fear attitude coming in.

"He knows what he has to do, and is just happy to be here."