Damian McKenzie still has a place in a first-choice All Blacks side, coach Ian Foster says, despite missing selection for the last two test matches.
After a standout season for the Chiefs in the No.10 jersey, McKenzie's Super Rugby performances were rewarded with a start at first-five in the All Blacks' season-opening win over Argentina.
And despite an initial wobble - seeing an early clearance nearly charged down by Pablo Matera - McKenzie's display put him in the conversation to be Foster's main man in the No.10 jersey.
But, fast forward three weeks, and McKenzie hasn't donned the black jersey since.
As Foster surveyed his options to face the Wallabies, Richie Mo'unga was reinstated at No.10 to face the Springboks at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, while Beauden Barrett has been named at fullback for three tests out of three.
On the bench, the specialist back options see Anton Lienert-Brown cover midfield, with Caleb Clarke supporting the outside backs to go with potential debutant, halfback Cam Roigard.
As Foster explained his team selections on Thursday, before the All Blacks departed for Melbourne, the All Blacks coach assured McKenzie having to sit out this week is no indication over his role in the squad, building towards this year's World Cup in France.
"There is room for [all] three," Foster explained. "We've elected not to do that at the moment.
"It's actually no reflection on Damian to be honest. It's the fact that it's a chance for us to keep looking at some of the other options.
"We're trying to nail each week as we go. We want to win the [Rugby] Championship, we want to make a statement the Bledisloe [Cup].
"But at the same time, we also want to make sure we're giving some players enough opportunities to show how they can contribute.
"That sees us go with a midfield-outside back type combo on the bench. It may not always be like that."
At 28, McKenzie's versatility has at times counted against him in the race for the black jersey.
Equally adept at both No.10 and No.15, McKenzie has been often used as a bench option to cover both positions, before his Super Rugby season saw him put his hand up to be a starter each week.
However, missing that win over South Africa came at the wrong time, as the pair of Mo'unga and Barrett did themselves no harm in cementing their spots in the first string.
So far, McKenzie has played 41 tests, with 22 of those being wearing the No.15 jersey.
Last month's win over Argentina was just his third appearance starting at No.10, while 16 of his test appearances have come off the bench.
