All Blacks: Piutau in with a chance against Pumas

Charles Piutau during the QBE International match against England at Twickenham Stadium. File photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks' already strong outside back division is about to get stronger with the possible addition in the next few weeks of Charles Piutau.

Piutau's season with the Blues was badly disrupted by a knee injury but after forcing his way into Steve Hansen's Rugby Championship squad, the 22-year-old's fitness and form have caught the coach's eye.

Piutau has not been involved in any of the All Blacks' four Championship tests so far this season but, as they prepare to travel to Buenos Aires and the return test against Argentina, that could be about to change.

"We've noticed in the last week or so he's really sharpening up again," Hansen said on Radio LiveSport yesterday. "With that knee, I think that's held him back a bit and he's lost a bit of confidence, but he's starting to really train well with us and he's probably not far away from getting a game shortly."

Hansen will be wary about changing things too much against the Pumas at La Plata a week on Sunday as he is already without Ma'a Nonu, an absence that will likely result in Malakai Fekitoa starting in the unfamiliar position of second-five.

However, Hansen could opt to rest either Julian Savea or Ben Smith, both of whom have played every minute of the past four tests against Australia (twice), Argentina, and the Boks, leaving the way clear for Piutau to return via the reserves bench.

Israel Dagg, back at fullback after missing the Wallabies tests, has played every minute of his team's past two outings. Cory Jane, not required against the Pumas in Napier but who played the whole of the second half in Wellington after Nonu broke his left forearm, has amassed 165 minutes over three tests.

Hansen will want his strongest line-up for the next week against the Boks in Johannesburg, which suggests Piutau's big chance could come at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.

Piutau made his All Blacks debut last year against France in Christchurch in June and improved so much he started his past four tests, including an impressive performance against France in Paris in November.

Hansen said Sam Whitelock was not guaranteed to return from a rib cartilage injury which kept him out of the 14-10 victory over the Springboks in Wellington.