The All Blacks selectors want to see more of Damian McKenzie at No 10 for the Chiefs.

Fear not Damian McKenzie fans, the All Blacks omission of the outrageously talented and in-form Chiefs fullback is likely to be only a temporary one.

The 22-year-old McKenzie has missed out to the emerging force that is 20-year-old Jordie Barrett in Steve Hansen's All Blacks squad of 33 (plus injury covers) to prepare for the three tests against the touring British and Irish Lions, as well as the warmup clash against Samoa in Auckland on Friday.

That in itself was revealed to be an extremely close decision, with the All Blacks selectors conceding McKenzie's form had remained where they wanted it to be through the Super Rugby season. In many ways it was simplythe saddle at 10."

McKenzie played the second half at No 10 for the Chiefs in their Friday night Super Rugby victory over the Hurricanes in the capital when Cruden strained knee ligaments. It's not known yet how serious that injury is.

But could next Saturday's New Zealand Maori clash against the Lions in Rotorua provide a further peek, followed quickly by the Chiefs' own crack against Warren Gatland's men on June 20.

McKenzie has been picked as an outside back by Maori coach Colin Cooper, with Otere Black and Ihaia West the nominated No 10s.

But given he will have Rieko Ioane to bolster an already strong backline contingent, Cooper could at least consider throwing McKenzie in at No 10 outside Chiefs team-mate Tawera Kerr-Barlow, with Charlie Ngatai, Matt Proctor, James