The All Black coach Graham Henry is delighted the utility back Luke McAlister is returning to New Zealand rugby and has re-signed with the NZRU through until 2012.
McAlister left at the end of 2007 to play for Sale and will return at the end of the English Premiership season in May.
NZRU rules require players to have been been in either the Super 14 or Air New Zealand Cup to be eligible for the All Blacks in that season.
But a special dispensation is possible and Henry says McAlister is a quality player.
He says Ma'a Nonu was back to his best at second-five last season but it'll be good to have McAlister because they're short of players able to play first and second-five.
McAlister's been playing second-five for Sale but made his All Black debut in the third Test against the Lions in 2005 at first-five after Dan Carter was injured.
