The brawn drain continues to leak players northwards much to the concern of selectors and spectators. Luke McAlister’s all-but-done deal with Sale Sharks marks a new but very worrying trend for the All Blacks. The Wallabies and Springboks are not exempt either, although Australia, with their lesser player numbers, are not as exposed to this phenomenon, players in their prime, or indeed in McAlister’s case, with 16 caps and still on their way up in international rugby, are looking abroad where the exchange rate for the South Pacific peso means that they can net close to a million dollars for a two-year stint.
It used to be that fringe players like John Leslie, Xavier Rush, Nathan Mauger or Regan King, who couldn’t cement a permanent place in the national side, decided to exercise their ancestry visas and play abroad, many of whom have enhanced their overseas club’s results and played better in the environment. Or there were players such as Andre Vos, Josh Kronfeld, Andrew Mehrtens or Justin Marshall, who found themselves on the outer in the national set-up but were not ready to retire.
McAlister insists it is not the reported £250,000 a season that Sharks will pay him that is the lure for the 23-year-old, but the opportunity for experiencing new horizons. He would not be the first to take a rugby OE but he almost certainly would be one of the first to turn his back on the All Blacks while still very much in demand by his coach.
What will McAlister gain from the Guinness Premiership other than bucket loads of cash that he can pay straight into a New Zealand bank account ready for his return in two years’ time? His development as a player would be best nurtured at home. Bob Skinstad, Percy Montgomery, Troy Flavell and Leon MacDonald have proved that they can leave their country for club rugby abroad only to return to the national side when their short-term contracts expire, which may have inspired others to grab the big money while its on offer from clubs seduced by an All Black signing and then attempt to return to the national set-up, rich and refreshed.
The difference with McAlister’s defection compared with the other signings from South Africa, in particular his soon-to-be team-mate Butch James, New Zealand and Australia after the World Cup, is that he would be seen as a successor to Aaron Mauger – at 26 is still not passed his All Black use-by date – who is Leicester bound. Their transfer leaves New Zealand with a sizable hole in their development. In the past there has generally been a player to pick up the baton – for instance Michael Jones’ retirement opened the door for Kronfeld, who in turn made way for Richie McCaw.
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The All Blacks are still without a successor to Tana Umaga and the no13 jersey is the obvious hole in Graham Henry’s arsenal. This week against South Africa in Christchurch Isaia Toeava has a massive chance to impress in the position. It appears that Henry, Hansen, Smith and Lahore are still in conference regarding 12 and 13 in particular and, thankfully, McAlister is back at 12 for this international. Conrad Smith should get his chance off the bench and after rotten luck with injury it will not be a game too soon. Smith, along with Mils Muliaina is the type of combative centre that New Zealand crave.
Muliaina has got a rough deal with the selectors who insist on playing him at full back. Rico Gear and Leon MacDonald have been preferred at the back, yet Muliaina, perhaps a victim of his own versatility, at 15 stone has the bulk and speed to take the hits and give them out in midfield.
The All Blacks need a big game on Saturday after a flat performance against Australia two weeks ago. Dan Carter must be on target after leaking scores of points in the past two Tri-Nations matches, while South Africa proved after all Australia’s bleating about second-string sides, that they are always a team who can pose a challenge – this weekend should not be any different.