All Blacks’ McAlister offer bids to ward off Munster

NEW ZEALAND rugby chiefs have put a “big offer” on the table and urged Luke McAlister to take his time before deciding whether to stay or sign with Toulouse or Munster.

Having lost their battle to keep Carl Hayman and Aaron Mauger in New Zealand, the NZRU are desperate to keep the 23-year-old midfield back.

McAlister proved on last year’s All Blacks tour that he is a potential superstar and is expected to put real pressure on Mauger to claim the No 12 shirt at the World Cup.

With Mauger off to Leicester next year, McAlister is shaping up as a critical player in the post-2007 plans, but he’s off contract at the end of the year and has been offered big money deals by Toulouse and Munster. It is understood Munster representatives had some contact with McAlister but were led to believe he was more likely to opt for France.

The NZRU and All Black coach Graham Henry have reasoned that while the $640,000 (€350,000-plus) the European giants have offered is attractive, McAlister’s development would be better served by remaining in New Zealand, where there is greater desire to play with the ball in hand and promote gifted, attacking players.

At just 23, McAlister has time to establish himself as an All Black superstar and name his price further down the track.

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said: “We have made Luke a very good offer and he is a player we are very keen to see stay in New Zealand. We know he has some offshore interest and we have given him some space to make his decision.”

The NZRU have not given McAlister a deadline and would be happy for him to leave his decision until October — the cut-off point for potential 2008 Super 14 players to sign.

European clubs can’t be so lenient as they need a signature before June. A recent report suggested Toulouse had already signed McAlister on a two-year deal.

But McAlister’s father Charlie dismissed those claims and the New Zealand press reported McAlister is also in negotiations with Munster. This information would appear to be out of date, though Munster would be more than willing to reopen negotiations.

Toulouse have the bigger budget and are understood to have put $735,000 (€400,000) on the table to find a quality replacement for French first-five Frederic Michalak, who joins the Sharks after the World Cup.

But Munster are just as determined to sign a high-profile All Black. With his relatively young age, marketability and considerable talent, McAlister can command top dollar, even if his All Black career is in its infancy.