All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says special treatment for Sonny Bill Williams is essential to ensure the code-hopping rugby star is ready for New Zealand's Rugby World Cup defence in 2015.
New Zealand Rugby last week granted Williams an exemption to be selected in the national side without having played in the national provincial championship.
The 29-year-old, due to rejoin the 15-a-side game once his two-year rugby league deal with NRL side the Sydney Roosters is over, has signed to play for Counties Manukau in the domestic competition.
But with the Roosters assured of making the NRL finals, Williams' NPC availability is in doubt.
It is possible his commitments with the Roosters will prevent him from playing for Tana Umaga's Counties Manukau, whose regular season winds up four days after the NRL grand final on October 5.
Hansen says there are a limited number of Tests between now and the World Cup.
"If he was to be in a successful Chiefs side next year and they were playing in the final, for example, then he wouldn't be available for some of those Tests," he told Radio Sport on Wednesday.
"It becomes difficult then to get him back into the ways of the All Blacks."
Hansen said Williams, part of New Zealand's 2011 Rugby World Cup-winning side, was a quality player who had developed a good rugby knowledge and would have no trouble switching back from rugby league.
"He can watch a game of rugby now and understand it, which is massively important when you want to come back across."
Williams played 19 Tests for the All Blacks between 2010 and 2012.
The All Blacks' end of season tour begins against the United States in Chicago on November 1 followed by Tests against England, Scotland and Wales over successive weekends.
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