Guinness Premiership
McAlister to return to New Zealand
Scrum.com
February 27, 2009
All Blacks head coach Graham Henry chats with Sale Sharks' Luke McAlister, Blues v Highlanders, Super 14 pre-season match, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand, February 5, 2009
McAlister chats to New Zealand coach Graham Henry on a recent visit to New Zealand © Getty Images
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Former All Blacks star Luke McAlister is to quit Guinness Premiership side Sale and return to New Zealand after re-signing with the NZRU through until 2012.

McAlister, who joined the Sharks in 2007, will return home at the end of the season although no decision has yet been made regarding his provincial and Super 14 playing future in New Zealand.

"The simple reason why I am leaving England and heading home is because I want to be closer to my family who are very important to me," commented the 25-year-old. "The fact that I can continue my rugby career as well back in New Zealand is obviously fantastic as well and I appreciate being given the opportunity, but family comes first."

McAlister, who is currently recovering from a knee operation, said he felt he had developed as both a person and rugby player in England and was hoping to leave English club rugby on a high. "We have a chance of having a crack at the top four (in the Premiership) and hopefully we can give the local fans, who have been great to me, a great end to the season."

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has lauded the sacrifice made by McAlister in returning to New Zealand. "He'll be taking a big hit financially to make this decision," Smith told Radio Sport. "It shows the measure of his commitment to come back and play here. It's a decision I'm sure everyone in the country will be pleased with."

Smith hoped McAlister's move may prompt other New Zealanders to return, possibly pushed by the financial uncertainty entering the professional game in Europe and Japan. "He's at an age where he's still coming to his best ... it's a positive sign for others around the world as well. The key thing is it reverses the trend of players going overseas."

His value would be undeniable as Smith's inside backs options have been whittled down due to injury and player departures. "He's got versatility. He's played mainly 13 for Sale but he's been a top 12 internationally and a top 10," Smith said. "That gives him a lot of options. He's an interesting player to have in the squad because of those options but, like everyone else, he's going to have to play well and nail the spot."

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said the NZRU negotiations with McAlister had stepped up over the last two weeks and the deal had only been finalised in the last 24 hours.

"This is very good news coming on the back of yesterday's announcement that we have re-signed Brendon Leonard, Andy Ellis and Stephen Brett. As all New Zealand and English rugby fans know, Luke is an incredibly talented rugby player and we are delighted that he has chosen to return home."

News of McAlister's departure comes just a day after Sale announced the appointment of England Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson as the club's new head coach from next season. The clubs is also braced for the departure of director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre and key players such as Jason White, Sebastien Chabal and Sebastien Bruno in the summer.

Sale's new director of rugby Kingsley Jones, who was the key figure in persuading McAlister to move to Manchester back in 2007 said the player would be leaving Sharks on the best of terms and said the door would always be open for the midfield powerhouse to return.

"He's been fantastic for us in every way I hoped and the door will always be open for Luke to return to the club," said Jones. "The fact that he has taken so long to make this decision shows how hard it has been for him. He has been everything we wanted and the strong relationship we have built up with him and his father Charlie will always be there, but I fully understand and respect his decision to go back in order to be nearer his family."

"As a club we would have been disappointed had Luke chosen to go to France, but hopefully on return from injury he will help us finish the season in style, which I know is what he desperately wants."

McAlister is one of the most versatile backs in the modern game who made his All Blacks debut in 2005 in the third Test against the touring British & Irish Lions. He has won a total of 22 caps, scoring 120 points. His last act for the All Blacks was a long-range dropped goal attempt in their 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to France in Cardiff.

A former world age grade Player of the Year, McAlister made his debut for North Harbour as a teenager in 2002 while his first Blues start was two years later.

Under current NZRU stipulations he would be ineligible to be selected immediately for the All Blacks as players must first play a season of Super 14 or Air NZ Cup rugby. However, All Blacks coach Graham Henry this week raised the prospect of a dispensation in the case of McAlister, when speculation was raised that he may return.

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