A troublesome groin issue means Tim Nanai-Williams will be on the sidelines when Super Rugby champions the Chiefs take on the Western Force in Pukekohe on Friday night.

But his absence is unlikely to leave him out of the frame when All Blacks coach Steve Hansen considers whom to invite to two two-day training camps starting on May 19 and May 26.

The All Blacks’ midfield options have taken a hit in recent weeks.

Already without Sonny Bill Williams after his return to rugby league, Hansen has seen Richard Kahui ruled out because of yet more shoulder surgery and Conrad Smith suffer heavy concussion last weekend.

Ma’a Nonu is struggling with a knee problem, while Tamati Ellison has only just returned from six months out after a shoulder reconstruction.

That will have given hope to players such as Nanai-Williams and Blues pair Rene Ranger and Francis Saili, not that Nanai-Williams is buying into the hype.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead,” the 23-year-old said.

“It’s about just making sure I’m enjoying my time, just playing rugby and being humble.

“I guess if you’re playing well and playing consistently week in, week out, then things will happen.”

After being shifted from wing to the unfamiliar position of centre at the start of the season because of injuries at the Chiefs, Nanai-Williams has enjoyed the extra workload.

At 1.81m and 87kg, he is one of the smaller midfielders, but his pace, agility and ability to read the game have resulted in a personal tally of six tries and a hand in plenty of others.

He said he was becoming more used to centre, but there was still a lot to learn and work on.

One thing he hasn’t shirked is the added defence.

“I’m actually loving all the contact and all the tackling and the big boys and stuff,” he said.

“I’m not the biggest person out there, so I’ve got to make sure that I do every little thing right.”