McAlister, who sacrificed his cherished place in the New Zealand side in order to join the Edgeley Park side, has been in outstanding form this season and produced a man-of-the-match display in Sale's opening Heineken Cup win at Clermont Auvergne last weekend. But that didn't stop Henry from criticising the 25-year-old's decision to play his club rugby 12,000 miles from his Auckland home.
"I think playing in England 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 the former Wales and British Lions coach.
"Maybe those experiences of playing in those countries will help but whether it's going to help his rugby development, I'm not sure."
Those comments were met with incredulity at Edgeley Park however and Jones took time out from the build-up to Sunday's Heineken Cup collision with holders Munster to blast the Kiwi coach's comments, accusing him of extreme arrogance.
"As far as Graham Henry is concerned it was an arrogant answer," said the Sharks head coach.
"I wouldn't dream of commenting on a player playing in the Super 14 or suggest that he wouldn't learn from it. For a start, I haven't got the qualifications to do that and I don't think Graham has either.
"Wherever you play, rugby is an experience and you learn from that experience and to say that someone isn't going to learn or develop from playing in the Heineken Cup is totally naive.
"Graham added that he didn't think Luke would walk straight back into the All Blacks, and I understand he's got to say these things.
"But if Luke does decide to go back to New Zealand, if he plays like he is at the moment and doesn't get in then I'd like to see the guys who do."
The rumour mill in New Zealand suggests the lure of returning home and trying to help the All Blacks win the 2011 World Cup on his native soil will be too much for McAlister to resist.
Jones insists Sale are still hoping their superstar centre will look to extend his stay in Manchester beyond next May when his 18-month contract expires.
"I spoke to Luke's father on Sunday and if Luke says he wants to stay in Manchester then we're ready to sit down and talk," added Jones.
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