Carter (left) has been allowed to play in France on sabbatical from New Zealand

All Blacks coach Graham Henry says he wants to retain the rule that players must play in New Zealand if they want to be picked for the national team.

Currently no-one who plays outside New Zealand, even if it is for other teams in the Super 14 competition in South Africa or Australia, will be selected.

"There may be (a change) in the future because I know the unions are looking to widen Super 14," he said.

"But at the moment, no - I think it decreases the value of our rugby."

Although Henry said he was happy with the current situation, he said he could see grounds for the rule possibly changing in the future.

"I totally agree with the current situation but if Super rugby expanded and we had franchises played over a number of countries, that may change in the future," he added.

I think senior players who have played a long time for the All Blacks may qualify for a sabbatical Graham Henry

Auckland Blues flanker Daniel Braid, capped by New Zealand this year, will also become ineligible for selection when he joins Australian Super 14 side Queensland Reds next season.

New Zealand's most high-profile player, Dan Carter, will start a six-month 'sabbatical' with French side Perpignan in December, after the All Blacks' November tour of Britain and Ireland, before returning home next year.

But Henry said Carter was an exceptional case, and he did not think it was the beginning of a change of policy.

"Dan qualified for a sabbatical because he's played a fair amount of time - about six seasons - for the All Blacks," he said.

"I think senior players who have played a long time for the All Blacks may qualify for a sabbatical and in this case it was pretty important that we keep Dan and it was part of the contractual arrangement, suiting both parties."

606: DEBATE Do you agree with Henry's stance?

He may return home at the end of his contract in order to re-establish himself with the All Blacks before the next World Cup, which New Zealand will host in 2011.

But Henry questioned the value of the professional experience he was gaining in England, and said he would have to fight to regain his squad place when he returned home.

"I think it will be good for him as an individual and when he returns to these islands he'll be a well-rounded person, but I don't know if he's going to be a better rugby player," said Henry

"There's big talk he's going to return to New Zealand, that he's going to return reasonably soon.

It will be good for Luke's international rugby if he stays at Sale Sharks boss Philippe Sait-Andre

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre believe McAlister, who was the Premiership player-of-the-month for September, will benefit from a longer stint in England.

He hopes to persuade the 25-year-old to extend his stay at Edgeley Park for 12 months until 2010, before returning to New Zealand.

"Luke has improved as a player since he arrived. He is very happy here," Saint-Andre said.

"We want to keep everything clear for the Munster game on Sunday) but we will speak to him next week about the future.

"It will be good for his international rugby if he stays. He will understand the northern hemisphere mentality better."