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Former All Black Luke McAlister has been lighting up the Guinness Premiership and European Cup since his arrival at the beginning of the season but All Black coach Graham Henry is not convinced he will return home a better player, if he decides to do so.
McAlister, who starred for Sale in their opening European Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne at the weekend, is in his first year of a two-year deal at the Manchester club but is expected to return to New Zealand once it expires to push for a place at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
However, Henry told the British press McAlister would not be guaranteed All Black selection if he did decide to return.
"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," Henry told Britain's Telegraph newspaper.
"Maybe those experiences of playing in those countries will help but whether it's going to help his rugby development, I'm not sure. There's big talk he's going to return to New Zealand but there's no guarantee he's going to return to the All Blacks - he has to be good enough to do that."
Meanwhile, McAlister, who is preparing for Sale's match against European champions Munster this weekend, said he will wait until the new year before he makes a decision on his future.
"I haven't spoken to anyone yet either in New Zealand or here at Sale," McAlister told the Telegraph.
"I've got an open mind. I've got a lot of things to weigh up. My daughter is back in New Zealand, as well as family, but I love it here as well."
- NZ HERALD STAFF
