Home draw for McAlister
Sale centre tempted to head back to New Zealand
Last updated: 22nd May 2008
McAlister: Missing home
I have got my little girl in New Zealand and it's hard being away from her so she would be a big draw card for me coming back.
Luke McAlister
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Sale centre Luke McAlister has admitted he could be tempted to return home to New Zealand after just one season in the Guinness Premiership.
The 24-year-old only arrived at Edgeley Park after the end of the World Cup in November, however he is already missing home especially as his daughter Astyn has remained in New Zealand.
And although he has yet to speak to officials back home, the news will certainly alert former club the Blues who have already seen Nick Evans and Isa Nacewa announce they will be leaving to head north.
"I don't know what's going to be thrown at me in the next seven or eight months," said McAlister, who has returned to his native country on holiday
"I haven't talked to the New Zealand Rugby Union about it.
"But I have got my little girl in New Zealand and it's hard being away from her so she would be a big draw card for me coming back."
Superior
Meanwhile McAlister has admitted he is "scared" for England ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand in June.
McAlister was part of the All Blacks squad at the 2007 World Cup in France before remaining in the northern hemisphere to join the Sharks.
And after a season in the Premiership, McAlister admits that while the skill levels at on a par between the two hemispheres, the pace of the Super 14s was far superior.
McAlister said: "That's why I'm a bit scared for the English coming over here (to New Zealand..
"The way the Super 14 is being played and the way the All Blacks play, I just don't think they will be able to keep up."
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Super 14 | |
| Saturday 31st May | |
| Crusaders 20 - 12 Waratahs | |
| Saturday 24th May | |
| Waratahs 28 - 13 Sharks | |
| Crusaders 33 - 22 Hurricanes | |
| Saturday 17th May | |
| Sharks 47 - 25 Chiefs | |
| Cheetahs 20 - 60 Bulls | |
| Lions 13 - 22 Stormers | |
| Reds 11 - 18 Waratahs | |
| Crusaders 14 - 26 Highlanders | |
| Friday 16th May | |
| Western Force 29 - 22 Brumbies | |
| Blues 19 - 17 Hurricanes | |
Super 14 Top 6
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crusaders | 12 | 52 |
| 2 | Hurricanes | 13 | 41 |
| 3 | Blues | 13 | 40 |
| 4 | NSW Waratahs | 12 | 39 |
| 5 | Stormers | 12 | 37 |
| 6 | Sharks | 12 | 37 |
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Comments
Antoni Gizzie says...
The players are comming here because the money is alot better than it is in New Zealand, if you fed up with it maybe your clubs should stop approaching NZ players.
Posted 13:34 16th June 2008
William Stirk says...
shock..... horror he wants to go back home... well if im honest thank god, fed up of all the players coming here. and i hate the way they all say that northern hemisphere teams cant compete with the super 14 pace..... complete rubbish.... didnt they say that before the world cup and got knocked ut by france.... if anything i dont think the new zealanders can cope with the physicality of the guiness premiership... go home mc calister and see your daughter, why would you leave anyway??? if i had a young daughter, moving half way across the world would be the last decision i wud make .... duh!!!!!
Posted 12:18 22nd May 2008
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