By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Rugbyheaven
Last updated 18:02 08/06/2009
BACK IN BLACK: Luke McAlister rips into his first All Blacks training session in two years after being called in for the test series against France and Italy.
BACK IN BLACK: Luke McAlister rips into his first All Blacks training session in two years after being called in for the test series against France and Italy.
Ma'a Nonu keeps his head warm as the All Blacks training in a chilly Dunedin ahead of the first test against France this weekend.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has pleaded for Luke McAlister to be given some space as the team prepares to open their test season against France in Dunedin this weekend.
McAlister has been rushed back into the squad to help cover off the injury problems in the backline created by Richard Kahui's season-ending shoulder injury.
But while McAlister made a solid return Down Under with his performance for the British Barbarians in their heavy loss to the Wallabies last weekend, it's unlikely he will start against France with Isaia Toeava expected to be wearing the No 13 jersey.
McAlister, who played at 10 and 12 in Sydney last Saturday night but has spent most of his two years with English club Sale at centre, joined the All Blacks in Dunedin for the first training run on Monday. It seems a bench role could be a possibility this weekend.
Henry, who watched the game live in Sydney, felt McAlister was the most creative Barbarians back but stressed some reality needed to be placed into his return to the test scene where he hasn't played since the 2007 World Cup loss.
His final few months at Sale were also wrecked by knee and hamstring injuries, meaning he is light on action at the moment.
"I think he is going to take time. Let's take the pressure off a wee bit," said Henry in a chilly Dunedin where he rated the All Blacks training a rusty six out of 10.
"He hasn't played for three and a half months and I don't think we can expect too much too quickly.
"But I think the basic qualities are there."
McAlister said he was excited at getting the call-up but felt it would take some time to get up to speed with the team's moves and calls.
The All Blacks, as expected, ruled Wellington centre Conrad Smith out of consideration for the opening test against France because of a hamstring injury that has complicated the midfield mix.
McAlister was meant to be making his way back into the New Zealand scene via the Junior All Blacks with Henry insisting his role there would have been at first five-eighths.
The Juniors have called in Canterbury No 10 Stephen Brett because of McAlister's rapid elevation.
Wellington backline utility Tamati Ellison as been named as captain of the Junior All Blacks for their IRB Pacific Nations Cup campaign.
The All Blacks starting XV will be named on Tuesday and it could be as follows: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Rudi Wulf, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
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