Malakai Fekitoa has the daunting task of replacing Ma'a Nonu in an unfamiliar position against Argentina in Buenos Aires and assistant coach Ian Foster is urging patience over his development.
Almost lost in the hubbub over Aaron Cruden's late night, missed flight and subsequent promotion to the No 10 jersey of Beauden Barrett, is the fact 22-year-old Fekitoa is likely to wear an All Blacks' No 12 jersey for the first time in only his fifth test.
The selectors' wish to bolster the outside backs for the last test - against the Springboks in Wellington - meant Fekitoa wasn't required in the match-day squad. He was named on the reserves bench for the Argentina test in Napier a week earlier but didn't get a chance to run on. His last outing was in the thrashing of Australia at Eden Park, when he came on as a replacement. From there to starting against the Pumas at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata on Sunday is quite a leap, but Foster has faith in Fekitoa's ability to cope on the big stage, despite the switch from centre, as the coaches look to cover for Nonu, who has a broken arm.
"It's gradual," Foster said in Buenos Aires of Fekitoa's development at No 12. "He has had bits and pieces on the park and he's had a reasonable amount of time off the park, so he's learning. It's not a natural shift for him. He likes grabbing the ball and running and he's pretty good at it. There are things he will learn over time but we've got a lot of patience for it."
Fekitoa spent time at No 12 in his first test, against England at Eden Park in June, but has started his two tests at centre and is considered more of a natural No 13.
Centre Conrad Smith said: "He's got a massive upside as a rugby player. It's tough moving from centre ... He has obviously had a really good leader in Ma'a to follow."
On hearing Smith's assessment, Foster added: "I think you need to consider how long it took to grow some of those aspects in Ma'a's game. It has been in the latter few years that Ma'a has really added huge value with his decision-making and distribution and his kicking, so it's a massive ask for Mala to jump in early in his career, change positions and do what we have had Ma'a do in the latter part of his career."
Against the Pumas he will be expected to do the simple stuff well - run hard, tackle and communicate well with Smith outside him.
