All Blacks coach Graham Henry has publicly backed the New Zealand Rugby Union's controversial "sabbatical" scheme and admitted that he is "desperate" to retain the services of star playmaker Daniel Carter.
But Henry has stopped short of conceding that the day is drawing closer when All Blacks will be picked from offshore, saying he is a staunch supporter of the "locals only" selection policy and strongly suggesting that to drop it would only open the floodgates.
The All Blacks coach also said he would not be making a personal plea to Carter, who is said to be on the verge of confirming a short-term deal with the Toulon club in France. Henry hadn't spoken face-to-face to the Crusaders first five as he weighs his future options, though he said his thoughts had been passed on to the appropriate people.
The All Blacks coach spoke to the media at Monday's launch of the Iveco Series at Auckland's Gladstone Primary School, and the subject of Carter and his supposedly imminent departure was the hottest topic.
Asked if he'd spoken to Carter, Henry said: "No, not personally. There are channels to do that and we work through those channels to make sure that Daniel understands our viewpoint which is pretty obvious. We'd like him to stay."
But given that Nick Evans had already confirmed his departure for the best part of three years, Henry was asked again about the lengths he would go to in order to retain his world-class No 10.
"There's ways of doing that," added Henry. "He's got people working for him who I've got a huge amount of respect for, and it's important to speak to them about our views as selectors and we've done that. And to speak to the people who formulate the contracts in Wellington, and we've done that as well.
"Dan knows we are very, very keen - desperate in fact - for him to stay. It's just a matter of communicating through the appropriate channels."
But Henry would not buy into the viewpoint that Carter's departure, and the subsequent loosening of the eligibility rules to enable him to return straight back into test rugby, would lead inevitably to offshore-based players being available for the All Blacks.
"I agree with the current NZRU policy that we don't select players from overseas. If we made it available that players could be selected from overseas a huge number would go and I don't think that would be good for New Zealand rugby, not good for the fans here and not good for the local competitions.
"So I think it's a positive standpoint that they've had for a number of years and I don't think it will change."
But in terms of the sabbatical scheme, whereby certain chosen players were allowed to go offshore for a short term and then be available for the All Blacks immediately on their return, Henry had a far different viewpoint.
"As long as we're trying to keep rugby players in this country I think it's a positive - if it's a goer for a particular player.
"Also it gives them some time away from New Zealand to recharge if you like, and even though they're still playing rugby it's a different environment. So that could be a positive as well. I think if it fits the individual it could be a very good thing."
The All Blacks coach, controversially reappointed after last year's World Cup quarter-final exit, also gave a clear indication that he would look to select his best players this season, regardless of whether they had already committed to offshore deals at the end of this year.
There has been much speculation whether Henry will carry Evans in his All Blacks squad as Carter's backup, or prefer to start the grooming process for a new No 10 who will be needed next year anyway.
"I think we just pick the best team and go from there," said Henry. "Unless it's a week or two away and people are leaving, [then] I don't think that's a positive. But generally speaking I think you pick the best team."
The All Blacks coach said the main positions concerning him ahead of the announcement of his first squad of the year on June 1 were in the second row and at second five.
"The middle row has been a concern and I still think we've got some talking to do and some viewing to do in that position. And there's not a lot of international experience at second five, so I guess they're the two major holes."
But Henry gave a strong hint that there will be no place for any young backline bolters, such as Benson Stanley of the Blues, in his first squad of the season.
"I think a number of young guys have come through the Super 14 who probably need a bit of space and maybe to think about the end-of-year tour.
"To play a big Super 14 puts huge pressure on those guys for four months, and they need a bit of space to recuperate and think about their rugby future and how they're going to develop further.
"So I don't think you'll see a whole host of 19, 20 and 21-year-olds in the All Blacks.
"But maybe when there's extra numbers at the end of the year, when we go from 26 to the early-30s, then there will be a few young guys on that tour."
Henry also said he supported the use of the "global" experimental laws being used in the Tri-Nations, though he conceded it was going to be a challenge preparing an All Black side in one week to meet Ireland in the first of the Iveco Series matches that would be played under the old rules.
The All Blacks meet Ireland in the first Iveco Series match on June 7 in Wellington and follow that with back-to-back tests against World Cup runners-up England.
