All Blacks: Kahui casts doubts on fitness

Richard Kahui may not be able to play in the No 12 jersey for his club this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

Injury could prevent Richard Kahui trialling for a second five-eighths spot in the All Blacks this weekend.

The 24-year-old was due to play in the No 12 jersey for his Te Rapa club at the weekend at the behest of the All Black coaching panel, but last night a Chiefs spokesperson said Kahui had indicated via text message that he was not sure whether he was able to play yet.

The talented centre had tests under the eye of All Blacks' doctor Deb Robinson in Christchurch yesterday. Kahui damaged the sternoclavicular joint - where the sternum meets the collarbone - towards the end of the Super 14.

Graham Henry and his fellow selectors are desperate for options to replace the injured Ma'a Nonu for the June internationals against Ireland and Wales starting on June 12.

There are several choices, yet it is a sign of the receding depth of New Zealand rugby that none are compelling.

Henry said the only prerequisite was that the player "has got the ability to handle the position in international rugby".

That has been taken to read that there is a reluctance to promote a rookie like the Crusaders' Ryan Crotty or Blues' second five-eighths Benson Stanley.

The other specialist No 12 who could come into reckoning is Stanley's team-mate Luke McAlister, but he has been dogged by injury and has looked a shadow of his former, pre-Sale, self when he has got on the field.

Kahui's form was not special in the Super 14 either, but he has played well in the bulk of his eight test matches and has shown adaptability by playing on the wing at the highest level.

Chiefs' colleague Stephen Donald is another who could be converted to second five, but the experiment of him playing 12, with Mike Delany at first five, did not work very well.

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Meanwhile, just under 9000 tickets remain available for the second rugby test between the All Blacks and Wales in Hamilton on June 26. A Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) statement said 5500 uncovered seats were available in the "kidzone" and temporary stand areas of Waikato Stadium, and a further 3500 in the standing room only area.

Adult tickets range from $35-$60, and children's from $15-$20.