Crowd favourite Sonny Bill Williams is being lined up for a positional switch in tonight's match against Japan - but the All Black coaches are remaining tight-lipped on where exactly.



The hulking second-five eight has played almost entirely in midfield since coming to New Zealand from French club Toulon last year.



His test debut was in the No 13 jersey against England and he' s appeared at inside centre in his remaining six tests.



But All Blacks coach Graham Henry has hinted that the league convert would get a chance to prove his versatility in another position - most likely wing.



"He's played all his rugby this year virtually at 12, and we might try and play him elsewhere," Henry said, adding "you'll have to wait and see", when pushed for more details.



"I don't want to make any rash promises here because he's a quality footballer, he creates opportunities, he had a big work rate last week and played well.



"The two centres we've got, (Ma'a) Nonu and (Conrad) Smith, have played a lot of rugby together and played very well for the All Blacks and created a high standard for the All Blacks.



"He might break in there or he might get an opportunity elsewhere. We're just looking at that situation."



The 110kg part-Samoan was used primarily as a centre for Toulon but had a handful of games on the wing and at flanker after an outstanding career as a wide-running backrower for NRL side, the Canterbury Bulldogs.