The burly Biarritz centre has been thrust into the playmakers role by France head coach Bernard Laporte in the absence of regular number 10 Frederic Michalak, who is on the mend following a long-term injury.

The fly-half berth is not new to Traille - as he has been deployed in that position for his club on a number of occasions.

The 27-year-old is happy to be handed the responsibility even though his opposite number comes in the form of peerless All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter.

I like the position, he said. It allows you to take the initiative. I want to play there more often.

It is obviously not something you can pick up overnight - you need time. But we have had a week to prepare for the match and I hope that leaves me with enough time.

At fly-half, you have to make decisions for your team-mates and there has to be non-stop communication with your team-mates. At number 10, you bring others into the game.

Traille is charged with giving Les Bleus go-forward against a New Zealand side who are heavy favourites to win next years World Cup and who have lost only two of their last 26 games.

He insists such a responsibility will not be a burden and denied suggestions his versatility was hampering his attempts to secure a regular position in the France team.

No I dont think so, he said, when asked whether he will be under extra pressure on Saturday.

At fly-half you have to make the right choices, just as at centre you have to make the right choices. Each position requires responsibility.

I am just going to concentrate on what we have been working on this weekend. There is a system that has been put in place for us, and each of us knows what to do.

He added: Versatility is good for the team, and that is an advantage. It is often said that those who are versatile are those who dont play as much. But for the moment, I have the opportunity to play at 10 and we will see what happens.

I am not saying I want to play at 10 or I want to play in the centres. I am just part of the team.