Richard Kahui has admitted his call-up to the New Zealand squad came as a surprise.
Chiefs centre shocked to be in Henry's squad
Richard Kahui has admitted his call-up to the New Zealand squad came as a surprise.
The 22-year-old Chiefs centre is one of six new players in a revamped All Black squad.
Kahui missed much of the Super 14 season with an ankle injury and said he had no idea that coach Graham Henry was considering him for selection.
"I didn't think the injuries themselves (would count against me) but maybe not getting as much game time as I would have liked this year was probably the thing I was most worried about," he said.
Very happy
"I was very surprised to be at the (wider training) camp last week with the lack of rugby I've played but obviously they've seen something they maybe can tap into, I'm here and I'm very happy to be here."
Kahui learned of his selection on the radio via a telephone conversation with Chiefs team-mate Stephen Donald.
He said: "I didn't have the Rugby Channel (which broadcast the announcement live) or an AM radio so I rang Stephen Donald and he put his phone next to the radio and I held my phone up to my ear and listened like that."
Donald is another newcomer to the All Black set-up.
Kahui added: "We're flat-mates as well, so we shared the whole experience of the last couple of days.
"We've lived together for the last couple of years so having him come in here with me at the same time makes it a little easier."
