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KEY POINTS:
Who has the greater clout? Who can offer the more attractive rugby package: the All Black coach or his former captain?
Graham Henry and his original national captain Tana Umaga appear to be duelling for the same marquee player to boost their rugby ranks. The target is Luke McAlister, the 25-year-old inside-back who took up a contract with Sale after the last World Cup and who is expected to be on the move again once that deal finishes in May.
McAlister is being tempted by both Europe and New Zealand. France has massive wages, New Zealand has family links and the chance of a 2011 World Cup run.
Toulon is making a strong push through Umaga and former Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre who has joined the club while Henry revealed he had talked "regularly" to McAlister about his rugby future and hoped he would "reconsider" and make a return to New Zealand.
Sale coach Kingsley Jones addedto the puzzle with comments which suggest that McAlister is on the way out once his contract expires.
"I have got one very strong option in mind from the Southern Hemisphere should Luke decide to leave," Jones said.
Should McAlister return, the New Zealand Rugby Union would need to alter their rules to allow him to play for the All Blacks in the domestic tests or Tri-Nations and beyond without playing in the Super 14 series.
Henry said it was too early in this year's series to be despondent about the lack of test quality five-eighths. Though with Ma'a Nonu the only present player with a large amount of experience, Henry admitted concern.
"It is the area where we are the skinniest," Henry said.
The selectors were happy to see the versatile Piri Weepu used at first five-eighths for the Hurricanes but they considered him, primarily, as a halfback and did not want him to neglect those skills. That versatility would help a squad but halfback was a very combative selection area with Brendon Leonard playing again this season.
All Black doctor Deb Robinson said Carter would be in a moonboot for about another five weeks before he began weight-bearing exercises. He had been receiving excellent treatment during his recovery and there was no timeframe on his return to New Zealand.
That involved medical, insurance and contract issues but it was likely Carter would return to some rugby after about six months.
Henry said he had spoken to Carl Hayman recently but the tighthead prop had not made any decisions about returning to New Zealand from his Newcastle club contract. The coach thought that was a 50-50 call but had a feeling Hayman had an out-clause in his contract he could apply.
