Henry cool on McAllister Sharks stint

Luke McAlister may have set the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup alight, but he is yet to convince New Zealand head coach Graham Henry of the rugby benefits of his stint with Sale Sharks.

The 25-year-old spent his formative years in the Middleton area of Manchester - his father Charlie played rugby league for Oldham, Castleford and Sheffield Eagles – and moved to Edgeley Park following last year’s World Cup failure.

McAlister, who can play at fly-half or centre, has one year remaining on his contract with Sale, where he has been a huge success, most recently with a 17-point haul in the Sharks’ 32-15 Heineken Cup victory in Clermont Auvergne last Saturday.

While former Wales coach Henry accepts McAlister will gain worthwhile life experience, he questioned the rugby benefits the 22-times capped All Black will have garnered away from New Zealand.

“I think it will be good for him as an individual and when he returns to these islands he’ll be a well-rounded person, but I don’t know if he’s going to be a better rugby player,” said Henry.

“Maybe those experiences of playing in those countries will help but whether it’s going to help his rugby development, I’m not sure.”

Henry expects McAlister to return home when his current deal with Sale expires at the end of the European season, but insisted he must prove his ability to return to the international fold.

“There’s big talk he’s going to return to New Zealand, that he’s going to return reasonably soon,” added Henry.

“There’s no guarantee he’s going to return to the All Blacks – he has to be good enough to do that.”

Henry, who confounded his critics to lead New Zealand to the Tri-Nations title this year, maintains the All Blacks’ selection policy – only players playing in New Zealand are eligible for selection – is right.

“I totally agree with the current situation,” he said.

“I think it would decrease the value of New Zealand rugby if players can be selected for the All Blacks from overseas.”

Dan Carter, widely regarded as the world’s finest fly-half after 54 Tests for the All Blacks, had a clause in his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union to allow him to embark on a sabbatical with Perpignan.

But Henry does not believe the move, which will see the 26-year-old return to New Zealand next June, sets a precedent.

“You can’t just do that willy-nilly,” added the 62-year-old.

“They have to qualify as a long-term All Black who has done a lot for All Black rugby.

“Dan Carter qualified for a sabbatical because he’s played a fair amount of time – about six seasons – for the All Blacks.

“I think senior players who have played a long time for the All Blacks may qualify for a sabbatical and in this case it was pretty important that we keep Dan and it was part of the contractual arrangement, suiting both parties.”