All Blacks: McAlister rushed back into All Blacks

Luke McAlister in action for the Barbarians on Saturday night. Photo / Getty Images

Luke McAlister's hurried return to the All Black fold was complete last night with the announcement that he is to replace the injured Richard Kahui in Graham Henry's squad.

With Kahui likely to miss the rest of the season, the New Zealand Rugby Union released a statement last night confirming the return of McAlister to the squad for Saturday's first test against France.

McAlister, who played for the Barbarians in Saturday night's 7-55 loss to the Wallabies, will join Henry's squad in Dunedin today.

Meanwhile, Crusaders first five-eighths Stephen Brett has been called into the Junior All Blacks to replace McAlister.

Kahui is to miss rugby for up to six months to undergo surgery on an injured shoulder.

McAlister, 25, has played 22 tests for the All Blacks. He left this country to play for English club Sale after the All Blacks quarter-final failure at the 2007 World Cup. He re-signed with the NZRU earlier this year through to 2012.

The NZRU board exercised its discretion over selection eligibility in April, allowing McAlister to come into the All Blacks squad if injury ruled out players.

McAlister underwent knee surgery in February then parted with his Sale club after two seasons, reportedly turning down lucrative European club offers to re-sign with the NZRU.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said McAlister's time playing for Sale had made him a stronger player.

"Luke returns to the All Blacks squad better for the rugby experience in the Northern Hemisphere and will provide us with more backline options for the [French] series and beyond," Henry said.

After Saturday's Barbarians defeat, McAlister admitted he is happier at second five-eighths than in the No 10 jersey. He played both roles for the Barbarians.

It was a difficult time for McAlister and his Barbarians teammates at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday as they went down 7-55 to a Wallabies team who dominated possession and scored eight tries.

Playing his first match in 3 months after knee surgery and a hamstring strain, McAlister showed class in the No 10 jersey with All Blacks coach Henry keeping close tabs.

He had been told his immediate future lay at first five-eighths in the absence of injured Daniel Carter and started at No 10 on Saturday, before moving one place out before halftime.

"I actually felt a lot better at 12," he said. "It felt not too bad. I thought my lungs were going to be a lot worse. It was just good to get a bit of a blowout at this level."

- NZPA