Henry hoping McAlister sticks around

Luke McAlister

Luke McAlister has been urged to be patient by his All Blacks rugby coach after reports he was considering a shift overseas in frustration at a lack of opportunities.

Henry issued the "don't go Luke" call after the gifted inside back, 22, was again named on the reserves bench for Saturday's Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup test against Australia here.

With superstar Daniel Carter having a mortgage on the No 10 jersey and Aaron Mauger the first-choice No 12, weekend newspaper reports said McAlister was only prepared to sign with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) until after next year's World Cup, then chase offshore riches.

"That would be a huge pity for Luke if that was true. He's a very young guy and I think he could be a superstar, but he won't be unless he goes through the development process of becoming a top international," coach Graham Henry said yesterday.

"If he was taken away from that opportunity now I think that would be very detrimental for his own development and future.

"That would be very sad in my opinion because he's certainly got the qualities to be a superstar. He's just got to be patient, those opportunities will come for him to be in the top-15."

McAlister made an impressive test debut last year against the Lions and has made occasional appearances since while watching Carter weave his magic.

McAlister's father, Charlie, who acts as his son's agent, has hinted that the supreme form of Carter and Mauger is having an influence on his thinking.

"He will always be behind Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger," Charlie McAlister told the Herald on Sunday.

"Going forward, that is a no-brainer. All Luke can do is keep working on his skills and get himself into the best physical and mental shape.

"We have been meeting with various people and I guess that will continue. Luke will make a decision that is best for him and his family."

It was reported several overseas clubs have been made aware of McAlister's impending availability and are preparing big-money offers that cannot be matched by the NZRU.

- NZPA