Charles Piutau impressed for the Blues and New Zealand in 2013 © Getty Images

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Charles Piutau will be the Blues fullback, for the early part of the season at least, Sir John Kirwan has confirmed in response to suggestions that he will play the rising All Blacks star in the centres.

The Blues will be without Ma'a Nonu for their early Super Rugby fixtures, after the All Blacks centre underwent off-season ankle surgery, leading to thoughts that Kirwan would play Piutau in the No.13 jumper given the Test team also needs cover in that jersey after Ben Smith did not convince entirely on the end-of-season tour of Europe last year.

But Kirwan has named Piutau at fullback for the Blues' final pre-season trial against the Chiefs in Rotorua on Friday, and, fitness permitting, the youngster will play there also in their first match of the Super Rugby campaign against the Highlanders in Dunedin a week on Saturday.

Piutau, 22, burst onto the scene as a fullback for the Blues in 2012, and he developed so well in 2013 that he earned Test colours. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen selected him on both wings, and Piutau impressed - particularly against France and England.

"Everyone's talking about Charles at centre and we'd like to give him some time there," Kirwan told Fairfax Media in New Zealand when asked on Wednesday how he planned to fit Piutau, Benji Marshall, Nonu, Francis Saili, Jackson Willison and George Moala in his backline.

"But when you're reintegrating guys in late, they need to be comfortable with what they are doing before you start changing them. He's comfortable at fullback, he loves it, he's a talented boy, he's in our leadership group, so let's get him on the paddock and worry about variations later on."