Graham Henry shares battle scars and stories with Irish soccer star Roy Keane, who is finishing his Fifa coaching qualification. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Soccer superstar Roy Keane has been spruiking messages the Rugby Union will cherish as they work through the Daniel Carter sabbatical and continue their battles to halt the player exodus.
Keane lunched with All Black captain Richie McCaw as part of a week he is spending around the
team to complete his Fifa coaching qualifications.
During their discussions, Keane suggested that he only realised what playing for Manchester United really meant when he had been away from the famous club for about six months.
First five-eighths Carter is apparently seeking a similar leave of absence to play rugby in Europe after this year's Grand Slam campaign before he returns to New Zealand.
"He [Keane] said 'I guess that playing for Manchester United is a bit like playing for the All Blacks'," said McCaw. "There is a lot of pride that goes with it and he did not probably realise until the last six months when he went and played for someone else - it just wasn't the same.
"He realised then what it meant to play and I think our guys find that when they give up or move on, they actually realise what it is all about, the great fun it is playing for the All Blacks and stuff like that so I guess there are a few similarities."
McCaw found Keane a real character who gave him some valuable information about life at the top of the playing and managerial soccer ranks in Europe. It had been a special meeting and one he would always treasure.
McCaw was also stoked Carter was ready to sign on again with New Zealand rugby until after the 2011 World Cup with a break to play in Europe.
The All Blacks captain guessed he might end his career overseas but he was content to stay in New Zealand for now.
Photos: All Blacks training session