Richard Kahui looks likely to get some game time at inside centre on the All Blacks tour with the Waikato back set to wear the No 12 jersey in today's practice game in Auckland.

With regulars Ma'a Nonu still busy with Wellington's quest for the Air New Zealand Cup title, Kahui will line up outside Dan Carter as the 26-man All Blacks wider training squad plays the New Zealand Barbarians at Henderson this afternoon.

The 23-year-old Kahui is held in extremely high regard by All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith after turning into a Mr Fix-it in his rookie year of test rugby.

He played his first two tests at centre and was then asked to fill in on the problematic right wing for the next four.

He made a smooth transition in helping the All Blacks win the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations title.

Now he could be on the move again with the All Blacks keen to explore his midfield potential a bit closer to the action.

"We think Richard has the skills to play second five so it's a good opportunity to give him a run," Smith said of Kahui playing at No 12 against the Baabaas.

Second five loomed as a problem position at the beginning of the season as the All Blacks set about finding someone to take over from Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Sam Tuitupou who all headed north to English club play at the end of last year.

But Nonu made a huge statement by playing all nine tests to command the jersey.

The trouble is with a six-match tour on the cards, including tests on five consecutive Saturdays, Nonu won't be able to play every match and there has been little done to search for alternatives.

Waikato might be the union to provide the answers especially if, as expected, there is no specialist cover named in the 35-man touring squad on Sunday morning.

Kahui is one option and Stephen Donald being able to step into first five and allow Carter to move out a position is the other alternative, something that occurred in Brisbane on September 13 when the Tri-Nations was sealed against the Wallabies in Brisbane.