Luke McAlister (R) hasn't represented the All Blacks since the 2007 World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Computer coaching has paid dividends for Luke McAlister and the All Blacks.
The staff anticipated that the midfield back would return to the national squad after the Juniors campaign and would need time, after a two-year absence overseas, to get up to speed with his own form and the All
Blacks' methods.
So when McAlister returned home briefly after his contract with Sale finished, assistant coach Wayne Smith revealed that they had given him a reintroduction course to New Zealand rugby, 2009 style.
"We had a bit of time to talk," Smith said. "We sent him a movie of our plays that he could look at on his iPod and that sort of stuff so he is up to scratch pretty quickly."
That pre-emptive strike helped when shoulder problems forced Richard Kahui out of the All Black squad and McAlister was picked to replace him.
Smith said it would have been ideal had McAlister continued with the Juniors but, on balance, the selectors felt it made more sense to include him ahead of schedule rather than pick someone else who might then be discarded.
"So we have got to now use the time with us to replicate what he would have got with the Juniors," Smith said.
McAlister had already noted the higher intensity at training and was a bit sore after working out with the squad in Dunedin. That was a challenge but the selectors had already seen signs of a maturity in his game from his spell in Britain.
"I think his game management - he was a runner and a brilliant player really and he has had to learn different skills up there - I think that will make him better.
"He is going to need some time to get back into the speed of the game and what we are doing but I think the prognosis is good with him," Smith said. "He is a class player."
