Wynne Gray: Nonu's centre parting an odd choice from Henry

Trying to find the rationale is difficult. The selectors will have talked it through and made a reasoned call for Luke McAlister's return to the All Blacks.

Discussions will have been extensive and the choice tailored to the gameplan the All Blacks want to produce against the Wallabies on Saturday in Sydney.

It could be as much about what McAlister, who sat out training yesterday with a back injury, can do compared with what Ma'a Nonu has been unable to produce this season. It may well be a lot deeper than that.

But on the surface McAlister's selection appears an unusual choice.

Nonu played steadily in the Super 14, but has been off his game in six tests he has played this season outside Stephen Donald then McAlister against Italy. He has found none of the empathy he enjoyed outside Daniel Carter last season.

McAlister has played little rugby since his return from Sale. He was injured, played for the Barbarians and then, when pulled from the Juniors to the All Blacks, has started once against Italy and been a sub in four other tests.

His work for Harbour last week - goal-kicking apart - was as unsettled as his test efforts.

Now McAlister is preferred ahead of Nonu with the extra benefit of slipping into his preferred midfield role outside Carter.

It gives the All Blacks twin kicking options, players whose left- and right-footed style can cover the ground as much as the Wallabies would like from their similar options, Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes.

Maybe that is part of the rationale. They know the Wallabies will look to play territory for long stretches, to build the pressure as coach Robbie Deans used to ask from his Crusaders sides.

As much as the All Blacks detest the aerial ping-pong tactics that have become common in the game, they may have decided to be pragmatic and replicate the Wallaby strategies and those which have been so effective for the Springboks.

If they have decided on a foundation forceback plan, even with Carter's skills and time, they need someone to take the pressure away from him in his international comeback.

That concept means McAlister's kicking skills get him the nod over Nonu.

However, it breaks up the Nonu-Conrad Smith alliance, which has been a potent threat when Carter has been there to release them.

Carter is back for his 60th test after his measured recovery from a torn Achilles tendon and will help McAlister. But the star first five-eighths is not as au fait with the nuances of McAlister's work as he is with those of Nonu, who was his blockbusting partner throughout last season.

McAlister's promotion gives him the advantage of running off the cultured decisions of Carter, while Nonu and Donald never looked comfortable. That may have caused Nonu to lose confidence in himself and his game.

The selectors will have picked up on those vibrations, if they exist. They may be wanting to jolt Nonu into action.

If they wanted that, it seemed strange he did not play in the national provincial championship after the squad returned from South Africa.