After booking his ticket to France, Leicester Fainga'anuku has no qualms about being the All Blacks' backline utility security.
Fainga'anuku was selected by coach Ian Foster as part of the 33-strong All Blacks contingent to travel to his first Rugby World Cup.
Without question the form winger during Super Rugby Pacific, he scored a competition-leading 13 tries for the Crusaders on their way to a seventh title in as many years, but after a season-ending injury to Braydon Ennor, Fainga'anuku's role in the squad has changed significantly.
Listed among the outside backs, Fainga'anuku, 23, will now also provide cover at centre - a job he's done for the Crusaders. With experience in covering both, often during the same game, he is undaunted by what awaits him in Paris.
"It's been part of my preparation through Super Rugby," Fainga'anuku told Newshub. "The ability and capability to cover midfield and wing is an awesome asset to have as a player.
"For me, nothing changes - even in this environment. It's an opportunity for me to make sure I have those skillsets in my toolbox and take a step forward if the team needs.
"I might even get the call-up to loosie, you never know."
Despite his Super Rugby heroics, an injury came at the wrong time for Fainga'anuku. A knock in the final victory over the Chiefs kept the powerhouse winger out for the first three tests of the year, but he returned in the 23-20 win over the Wallabies in Dunedin last weekend.
That selection provided a last-chance audition for Foster, before he named his squad two days later.
While Fainga'anuku was absent, Blues winger Mark Telea went from strength to strength as a starting All Black and has probably done enough to be the first-choice No.11 when the World Cup begins.
With his selection never guaranteed, Fainga'anuku never got ahead of himself in the race to France.
"For me, it was [about] getting my body right," he said. "Lucky enough, Fozzie, the physio and the doctor have given me time to heal, get to 100 percent to give myself the best opportunity to make the squad.
"I had the opportunity down in Dunedin to do that and dust a few cobwebs at the same time as enjoying a bit of footy."
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