The All Black coaching trio of Graham henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith has launched an attack on the ‘poaching’ of local players by richer Northern Hemisphere clubs, after it was revealed that Luke McAlister has been subject to an offer from English club Sale Sharks.
Several key members of Henry’s current team, including Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, and Carl Hayman, are on their way to England or France after the Rugby World Cup to cash in as their careers draw to a close, but to lose McAlister would be to lose a world-class player in his prime.
“We think he has got the opportunity to be one of the best players in the world,” said Henry.
“He has got a good supportive environment here with some good people and we are concerned that if he moves out of that environment he won’t get that opportunity and won’t fulfil that potential.
“I have expressed that to him and a lot of other people have too.”
Forwards coach Hansen said that the continued process of taking the cream of the NZ game up north would have a detrimental effect on the world game.
“The clubs should be looking to have less foreign players in their competitions in order to develop their own games,” he said.
“The game is not going to be in good health if you don’t develop your own players.
“England has just had two thumpings in South Africa and we have had one Test here.
“Keep spending your own money, but spend it on your own players.”
Several key members of Henry’s current team, including Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, and Carl Hayman, are on their way to England or France after the Rugby World Cup to cash in as their careers draw to a close, but to lose McAlister would be to lose a world-class player in his prime.
“We think he has got the opportunity to be one of the best players in the world,” said Henry.
“He has got a good supportive environment here with some good people and we are concerned that if he moves out of that environment he won’t get that opportunity and won’t fulfil that potential.
“I have expressed that to him and a lot of other people have too.”
Forwards coach Hansen said that the continued process of taking the cream of the NZ game up north would have a detrimental effect on the world game.
“The clubs should be looking to have less foreign players in their competitions in order to develop their own games,” he said.
“The game is not going to be in good health if you don’t develop your own players.
“England has just had two thumpings in South Africa and we have had one Test here.
“Keep spending your own money, but spend it on your own players.”
365 Digital
Ed’s note: Why they are attacking the English is mystery. If you look at where the majority of their players are going it’s across the channel to France.
