The New Zealand Rugby Union and All Black Luke McAlister are at loggerheads over a $60,000 payment for his release so that he can move to France to play in the Top14.
McAlister was not called up by the All Blacks for the TriNations so he now wants to cut his ties with North Harbour, New Zealand Maori and rule out the possibility of more All Black caps by moving to France.
The day after the All Black squad was named a disgruntled McAlister failed to turn up for Harbour training and calls from the provincial union about his whereabouts have gone unanswered.
Initially his agent and father said that Luke was caring for his son but McAlister Sr has now told NZRU general manager of professional rugby, Neil Sorensen that he wants to be released from his his NZRU contract to take up his lucrative three-year deal with Toulouse in France.
“Charlie has asked for Luke to be released early to join Toulouse. He doesn’t want to play ITM Cup,” Sorensen said.
“If you had a sick kid you would ring your employer. ”
“To be frank, using the family type excuse, tugging on the heartstrings, wears a bit thin when this guy is hoping in the next couple of days he can disappear to France.”
The NZRU say that McAlister will only be released if either he or the French Club come up with the funds to buy out his existing contract.
“We’ll be looking for a release payment if Toulouse gets him. If we don’t get it from Toulouse, we want it from the player,” Sorensen indicated.
“As far as we’re concerned he’s contracted until the end of the year to New Zealand and North Harbour. ”
“We’ll contemplate an early release but only after we’ve agreed terms. We’re in negotiations.”
The maximum, marquee salary at provincial level is $60,000.
“I would imagine that he’d be on that,” Sorensen said.
“If we can agree terms we’ll let him go. If we can’t he’ll be in New Zealand until the end of the year.”
The NZRU are not happy with McAlister as they took time to get him back to New Zealand from a two-year stint with Sale Sharks after the 2007 World Cup.
“Absolutely we’re disappointed. It’s not as if this guy hasn’t been given chances in New Zealand rugby,” Sorensen said.
“This is not the first time he’s gone to seek his fortune offshore. ”
“We went to a lot of time, effort and expense to bring him back because we thought he could add some value and that’s what they (Charlie and Luke) wanted.”
While McAlister missed out on the first call up for the All Blacks this year they say that he was still in the mix.
“If (Colin) Slade broke his jaw tomorrow or Dan Carter or Ma’a (Nonu) went down – the guy’s a top footballer.
“We want him to be available for All Blacks and New Zealand Maori selection later in the year.”