Cool hand Luke offers one more tested No 10

All Blacks first five-eighths Luke McAlister gets the ball away in the third test. Picture / Brett Phibbs

In these days where the buzzwords are all about creating depth of talent, the All Black selectors got what they wanted from debutant Luke McAlister as the Lions whitewash was completed at Eden Park.

The North Harbour 21-year-old kicked a 100 per cent six from six, displayed a clever array of kicking skills and set up a try for his captain, Tana Umaga.

But let's not get carried away. The player himself certainly was not after the third test had been won 38-19. It was far from a perfect game.

He dodged a bullet when he dropped a regulation pass from halfback Byron Kelleher - the Lions were penalised a moment later - and put down one high ball when he had time and room. Some of his kicking was best forgotten, as he admitted.

Then again, being some way less than perfect leaves room to improve.

"I thought he was pretty special in his first test," All Black coach Graham Henry said.

McAlister, who has been on the ladder to the All Blacks after doing time in the national secondary schools, under 19 and Colts teams, was third choice for Eden Park. Daniel Carter was ruled out by a shoulder injury and Leon MacDonald picked up a groin strain during the week.

Still, with McAlister the tip has long been not whether he'd graduate to the top stream but when.

"As a young fellow me and dad mapped out a plan and goals," McAlister said of his father, former Taranaki wing and Manawatu coach Charlie McAlister.

"To reach that at 21 has come quick, but it can go down pretty fast. So hopefully I can stay consistent with my form and see where that takes me."

McAlister could not single out one element from Saturday night which gave him special satisfaction. It was more the general package.

"Just the occasion, running on to the field, so many people cheering, even coming to the game. There were so many people on the streets, that's a cool feeling. I don't think I've experienced a feeling like that."

The pace of the game was about what he expected, but he does not lack confidence.

It was his decision to call the move in which he laid on Umaga's first try four minutes before the break.

Getting the ball inside the Lions 22, he gave a shimmy, made a half break before slipping the pass to the bristling Umaga on his shoulder.

"There were a few moves being called and I said I'll have a crack, you come off my shoulder," McAlister said.

No sooner said than done and it was 24-12 and the Lions were effectively out of sight.

As for the captain, "I've got a lot of respect for him. It's the first time I've played with him. He's got composure, doesn't panic. I've grown up watching him. Just to play with him was a highlight and a privilege."

McAlister's opposite, Stephen Jones, might have fancied his chances against a whippersnapper on debut more than he would have if Carter had been facing him.

But he had come up against the tyro in the New Zealand Maori game, had an idea what to expect and he was impressed. "He's a very talented player. He's got great skills. He's very physical and it just goes to show New Zealand has great strength in depth," Jones said.

So, now the selectors have one more tried and tested option at No 10. He's far from the finished product, but with the World Cup in mind a couple of years away, another small piece has been slotted into the giant puzzle.