Wallaby plans to run an extended camp prior to the Test series with the Lions are currently the subject of heated debate Down Under.
Australia head coach Robbie Deans wants his squad to get together three weeks prior to the series opener in Brisbane on June 22 as his side look to repeat the feat of their 2001 counterparts.
But that length of involvement with the international set up doesn’t sit easily with the Super Rugby sides, particular the Reds and Waratahs.
A fortnight before the first Test, Queensland play the Lions in a potential blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium while the other four Australian sides play derby matches in their penultimate Super Rugby round.
The Reds are keen to pick the likes of Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Digby Ioane and Wallaby skipper James Horwill for what they hope to be a sell-out 52,000 crowd on Saturday June 8, but Deans’ initial plans would rule them out of that mouth-watering encounter.
"We're doing our best to help but we've still got a brand and competition to run," McKenzie told AAP after seen 16 of his squad named in Deans’ 49-man pre-season party.
"There's the interest in Super Rugby and once you start pulling players out you devalue that.
"There was a lot of criticism last year about where the Australian teams sat in the competition and the relative strength of the local conference, so dismantling (teams doesn't help).
"You have to be mindful. Most businesses don't keep all their eggs in one basket."
As for the Waratahs, the New South Wales franchise could be without 10 players for their Round 17 trip to Perth to face the Western Force if Deans has his wishes granted.
New Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is desperate for that not to happen, with the former Leinster boss believing it would be better for club and country if players of the caliber of Michael Hooper, Berrick Barnes and Adam-Ashley Cooper were allowed to make the trip to the west coast.
"We don't think it's right," said Cheika.
"That's two weeks out from the (first Test) and if the players don't play in that game then it's three weeks with no playing. Match fitness is a very important thing.
"For us it's a very important match in Super Rugby against a fellow Australian province. It's a big thing because, for us, it could mean up to 10 players (missing).
"It's the same for all teams but we're going to feel the heat a lot more (than the Reds) because we're playing a competition game."
