Highlanders utility Richard Buckman is contracted to the team until the end of next year.

You might have to cross the Waitaki River to hear the calls, but they are growing louder each time Highlanders midfielder Richard Buckman plays.

His name is often missing or overheard when discussing All Blacks selection, drained out by players such as Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape and Malakai Fekitoa.

But Buckman, who can also play wing and fullback, only seems to get better with age and hasn't yet abandoned hope of donning the black jersey.

DIANNE MANSON/GETTY IMAGES Richard Buckman scored one of the Highlanders' six tries against the Waratahs in Dunedin last weekend.

"The dream is always the All Blacks jersey," the 28-year-old said.

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"I'm getting a bit old, but if the opportunity did come for higher honours or anything like that, I'd take it with both hands.

DIANNE MANSON/GETTY IMAGES Highlanders midfielders Richard Buckman, left, and Malakai Fekitoa are expected to match up with Crusaders counterparts Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue on Saturday afternoon.

"But my job is just to play well for the Highlanders at the moment, and we'll just see what comes about in the next few weeks or the next few months."

While Buckman has filled in at fullback and wing to cover injuries this season, he's now settled in at second-five eighth, his preferred position.

He had arguably his best game against the Waratahs in Dunedin last weekend, when he nabbed a try and put in a typically stout defensive performance.

Buckman will likely find himself staring across at All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty when the Highlanders play the unbeaten Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.

Crotty and rookie centre Jack Goodhue have formed the best Crusaders midfield in recent years, a heavily criticised area last year due to a lack of punch.

"They've been pretty bloody awesome to watch throughout the whole season, so if I do get a chance to be selected in that midfield, then I will take the opportunity to have a good crack," Buckman said.

While Crotty is often referred to as the "most reliable" midfielder in New Zealand, Buckman is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the country.

His 91.5 per cent tackling rate is better than the aforementioned players, while he has an uncanny ability to pop up at the right time on attack.

Buckman, who missed all of last year's Super Rugby season with a shoulder injury, is signed with the Highlanders until the end of next year.

Rather than play for Hawke's Bay in the Mitre 10 Cup last year, Palmerston North-born Buckman played a season for Japan's Panasonic Wild Knights.

Buckman hasn't yet committed to another season in Japan or a return to the NPC, but hopes to be in a position to announce his future plans in the next month.

Until then, he's got an highly-anticipated South Island derby and an historic match against the British and Irish Lions in the pipeline.

The Highlanders play the Lions in Dunedin on June 13, while their final Super Rugby regular season match is against the Reds in Dunedin on July 14.

Already assured of a playoff spot, Buckman can see similarities from 2015, when the Highlanders won their maiden title.

"It's a similar vibe to what happened in 2015," Buckman said.

"I guess, after the first three games, we had a few doubters again who probably said we weren't going to go very far this year.

"But we've put on a little streak at the moment and we're just enjoying playing some good footy, especially with a tough start and not winning many games and not scoring too many tries."