Uncapped Kahui forced to play waiting game

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Richard Kahui has embraced the All Black ethos even though he is yet to taste any on-field test action.

The classy Chiefs centre, who will debut in the black jersey on Saturday night, has been living and breathing life as an All Black for the past two and a half weeks.

But as yet he is not officially classified as being an All Black, something that will have to wait until he finally takes the field for the side.

Kahui took a step closer to realising his dream when he was named in the initial 26-man squad of the year on June 1.

It was a belated squad selection, with the chance of previous call-ups being halted by injury.

But he was not considered for the first test of the season against Ireland as the coaching staff afforded him more time to recover from an ankle injury.

He was then omitted from the match 22 to face England last weekend, with head coach Graham Henry opting to retain the midfield of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

However he has been named to start at centre in the second test against England at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, this weekend.

While still unable to officially be called an 'All Black', Kahui said his time around the side had firmed up his international ambitions.

"I look back at some of the tougher times we have been through over the last two years, some of the near misses and stuff, and to be sitting in this spot now is a real honour and a real privilege," Kahui told Yahoo!Xtra.

"I just want to do the jersey justice, just like anybody who puts on the black jersey.

"I am very happy to be here and can't wait to get a chance.

"It is one thing to be named as an All Black. But you just don't want to be an All Black or a one-year All Black."

A steep learning curve for the newcomer

Kahui hasn't looked back since being named in the 26-man squad for the Iveco Series and the upcoming Tri-nations.

Backs coach Wayne Smith has spoken of the yards the rising centre has been putting in on the training field.

Kahui nailed a spot in the squad ahead of former test rep Casey Laulala.

He said the past two weeks had been a blur of new experiences and getting up to speed with All Black protocol.

"Certainly two or three weeks ago if you had told me I would be in this position I wouldn't have believed you," he said.

"It has been awesome just learning from all the guys, learning from guys like Richie and Dan with plenty of experience and the way they go about things they do during the week.

"There are about four different sorts of track-suits that we have to wear to different things. So they are always good to tap on the shoulder and find out what you have to wear.

"But it has been an awesome week, just learning a little bit more of what it is to be like to be professional."

Another aspect that had made his transition into the All Blacks easier was the fact his flat-mate Stephen Donald was also a first-time selection.

Donald made his test debut off the bench in the All Blacks' 37-20 win over England at Eden Park last weekend.

Kahui said it was a bonus to have Donald and several other Chiefs team-mates in the All Black environment.

"It is awesome, having my flat-mate alongside me," he said.

"It was a nervous wait on the Sunday, waiting for the names to be announced.

"It certainly makes things a bit easier knowing we can bounce things off each other, how we are feeling, how I am feeling.

"Sharing this experience with a real good mate has been awesome."

Overcoming challenges to become an All Black

Kahui has already overcome several battles to earn selection in the 26-man squad.

His 2008 Rebel Sport Super 14 campaign with the Chiefs was again wrecked by injury, with the promising centre troubled all season with a dodgy ankle.

It follows previous shoulder and ankle injuries which sidelined him for a vast section of 2007, in the process ruling him out of World Cup equations.

Kahui admitted his latest fitness concerns had seen him question whether he really was in contention for All Black selection.

"I didn't expect to be here," he said.

"I had a few injuries and that sort of thing. But the coaches obviously have a bit of faith in me or my ability.

"Hopefully I can repay that when I get a chance to.

"I had injury this year and maybe I didn't feel like I had enough chance to show myself.

"It takes more than one good game or whatever to be an All Black.

"Obviously they have seen enough over the last few years and hopefully I can repay that next time I get a run."

Having made it into the larger squad, he now he faces another battle to make it into the All Black starting 15.

And that is showing he is worthy of breaking up the promising Nonu/Smith midfield combination for.

"The challenge for me is to first of all, once I get a few games, make a push for that starting centre and give Conrad a bit of a push and go from there," Kahui said.

"Ultimately I would like to nail down a spot.

"He is obviously rated the No 1 centre in the country and rightfully so. He has great ball skills. And as you saw (against Ireland), he only got one touch of the ball and he has made something happen.

"He has really put a challenge to me to maybe lift my game. And I am going to need all of my ability to push him out."

Kahui addd he was: "raring to go and frothing at the mouth to get out and have a run and get my first cap under my belt".

Biding his time and learning

Kahui watched his first test since being named in the All Black squad on the side's bench during the 21-11 win over Ireland in Wellington.

He described it as an "awesome experience" and something which acted to increase his motivation to get on the field before the Tri-nations.

He sat alongside the All Black reserves again last Saturday night for the win over England, although he wasn't in the match 22.

His time on the sidelines had taught him that any mistakes made in the test arena were normally turned into points by the opposition.

And despite yet to have worn the All Blacks jersey in the heat of battle, Kahui's passion for the side and All Black status is unmistakable.

It seems that passion has grown even more following the re-signings of both Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw to the NZRU through to the 2011 World Cup.

The pair both spoke of the role their desire to continue playing test rugby played in making their decisions.

Kahui said as a newcomer to the environment, it was heartening to have such prominent players as Carter and McCaw speaking that way about what the All Black jersey meant to them.

"It would be a huge loss for New Zealand rugby to lose guys like of his (McCaw) and Dan's calibre," Kahui said.

"To have those sort of guys staying around really shows how they feel about the jersey and playing for the All Blacks.

"They could all have gone away and been a lot richer men for it. But they have decided to stay around for that black jersey, that is awesome.

"Being an All Black is the pinnacle of New Zealand rugby.

"And I think it is the pinnacle of rugby anywhere. You want to play the best rugby in the world and for the best team in the world.

"There is so much pride and history in the black jersey. And I think those guys have showed just how much it means to them."