The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen concedes there is a risk in moving Ben Smith to centre but he's long been earmarked as the likely replacement for Conrad Smith.
Conrad Smith has begun a four month break from the game and Ben Smith will start at centre for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Dunedin, having spent most of his 21 tests on the wing.
But Hansen says Smith has been the standout back of the Rugby Championship.
Steve Hansen will name the All Blacks side for their final home test of the year tomorrow.
