All Blacks: Kahui told to bring his own style to second five

Richard Kahui. Photo / Getty Images

If and when Richard Kahui slots in at second five eighths for the All Blacks, he has been told to play his own style.

The Waikato midfielder has been training for that role more frequently in the past few weeks as resources have dwindled through injury. He wondered whether he should bring a little Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister or Aaron Mauger to the role.

When he quizzed assistant coach Wayne Smith, he was told just to bring the Richard Kahui flavour to the job.

"I wondered whether I should ask to look at clips of other 12s and what they did.

"But Smithy pretty much knocked that on the head and said he just wanted me to carve my own position and play the way I feel is good for me."

When he has got a chance at training, Kahui has been getting a feel for the balance needed in that role between Daniel Carter and Conrad Smith.

"I have been running a lot at 12 which is something a little bit different for me at this level," he said.

"But it is exciting to get the ball in the hands a little bit more and to become more of a playmaker rather than a penetrator."

Communication was a large component of the second five eighths duties.

Kahui said he had to alter his mindset from challenging the line at centre to assisting men either side of him and raising his organisation levels.

"Then there are all the catch and pass skills, putting others through gaps rather than looking to go through a hole yourself," he said.

Kahui's return to club rugby for Te Rapa last week was his first since damaging cartilage high in his chest.

"The doc had never seen it before. I guess that is the story of my career. I have had strange injuries from the start - two shoulder reconstructions, a high ankle sprain and now this.

"I have never pulled a calf or a hammie, it is always something fairly serious."

Kahui has been out of test rugby since he played Wales in Cardiff 18 months ago.

All eight of his previous caps have been as a starter while tomorrow he rides the pine.

"There's a strong chance I'll get on because I'm covering from 12 out," he said. "It feels great to be back in the mix."

It is also a return to the region where he began his professional career with the Highlanders in 2006.

"It's going to be special, to be part of history as the ground closes and the All Blacks want to make it memorable."