KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Scott
Still pretty young at 27 after the next world cup too Luke. Good on you for doing it, but don't say it was for anything other than the money man, I live in England and Lifestyle is definitely not that cool in Manchester. It's cold, grey polluted miserable and has a huge shooting and stabbing rate. Can't be a better lifestyle than the cushy latte drinking one you have in Auckland mate. Bet he tries to come back for the next world cup and then leaves after that one too, while he's still young and looks for a nice lifestyle change in Japan, France or London because he certainly ain't going to want to go back to Manchester. Mauger for second five, he's earned his stripes.
Chris
No All Black fan gets upset when somebody rejects the nation of their birth (6 out of the All Black 15 & Reserves) to feed their family and play for the All Blacks over Tonga, Samoa, Fiji etc. And this has resulted in these once fine teams being reduced to whipping boys at the World Cups. So why should they whine when Luke decides to play for an English Premiership team. Besides the All Blacks could avoid this by picking players that play outside NZ. The Northern Hemisphere countries do it all the time.
Rural Reg. Westy
Man! Some of you guys make me laugh. People not gonna watch the All Blacks again, people saying Luke is a ego, and mercenary guy. Matt! what a shoka, Matt to me sounds like a really angry bloke, someone who has a 21st and no one turned up, and ska. Anyway, good on Luke. Go for it boy, life ain't a rehearsal, one shot! Man, I wish I had the courage and to make the massive sacrifices and hard yakka and all the injuries that come with playing rugby. You go boy!
Get over it
Good on Luke. Who cares if it is for the money? The All Blacks is a business, just ask Piri Weepu. Once they have used you, you are gone. The professional sportsperson has a limited time to earn a living and if they can do it doing something they like then good on them. What the rugby and league players earn in New Zealand and Australia in comparison to baseball, soccer, NFL, NBA is a joke. Professional sportspeople are very talented, give them the benefit of the doubt in relation to knowing what is best for them. The professional sportspeople can't say this to disgruntled NZers but I will do it for them "Get a life".
Scott
Typical myopic views from some fairly close-minded individuals. Since when do rugby players owe anything to the NZRFU? I would have thought the NZRFU owe the players everything. It's the players the public come to see. Good on Luke and I wish him all the best. Coaches go overseas to broaden their skill base before returning to New Zealand at the peak of their powers (look at the coaches in the Air NZ Cup and S14 level), so why not players?
Martin
No problem, Luke doing what's best for him. That's his choice to make - fair enough. The issue is for NZRFU to figure out how to protect and/or be compensated for all the development "investment" put into helping these players reach this level.
Otago Fan (Sydney)
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but the NZRFU should have a clause in there that if a player wants to leave, then the club that they are going to has to pay a transfer fee to the NZRFU. That way they get back a little bit that has been invested in the player. No brainer really not sure why they have not done it. What does everyone else think?
Paul (Auckland)
The NZRFU and the IRB need to work out a transfer payment scheme so there is some reimbursement for the money spent developing these players and for their associated with the All Blacks. Maybe the NZRFU should structure all future contracts so that there will be a transfer fee if a player goes overseas in the future. If they had put that into the contracts for Hayman, McAlister and co. when they were signed all those years ago the NZRFU would get a return on their development costs. They could also argue that playing for the All Blacks has increased their worth due to the All Black tradition and history.(e.g. I don't think Hayman and McAllister would be worth as much if they played for Romania).
Auck central
I think it was a good decision for him. He is 23-years-old and people have to remember that rugby is not the be all and end all of life. Being financially secure and living life to the max, experiencing different cultures is huge. Why people can look at an individual's decision, which will influence his life to this extent, and comment so negatively on him is beyond me. It's a personal decision and Luke owes nothing to the NZ rugby union, if anything NZ rugby is indebted to him for his extraordinary talents. Mate good luck to you, I'm sure you will not regret your decision and hope you make the most of it.
John Sharkey
After watching the AB's tests and tours all those years from childhood to adulthood and watching the cream of our talent representing NZ as amateur sportsmen it was considered an honour to represent your country. Yet our national game and its players sadly have become consumed by the almighty dollar to such an extent the whole aspect of representing the world famous All Blacks is not as important anymore. Players are entitled to their choices however the satisfaction of winning tests in the amateur years were far more satisfying than in the professional era!
Chris (North Harbour)
As a Harbour fan I'm sorry to see Luke go, but I don't begrudge him going over to the UK for a couple of years. As young New Zealanders we're encouraged to go on our 'OEs' - when I was younger I lived in London doing a job that paid significantly better than its equivalent in NZ and that was seen as part of growing up. Why then are we down on Luke doing the same thing, when the only objective difference is that his profession is 'rugby player'? He's made a decision based on what's best for him, and we should pat him on the back, wish him well, and look forward to his return to NZ.
Sione (Auckland)
I would have liked him to hang around a little longer as I can see he would be an AB regular, maybe even till after the next Rugby World Cup. Only time will tell if he's made the right decision and if he can make it back into the ABs when he gets back, good luck to him. However if he were playing games & trying to screw the NZRFU for more money then that's not on, which I don't think he's doing. However where do people get off with saying McAlister is abandoning NZ and would these same people help him to tomorrow if he had a career ending injury today. I love the All Blacks & I love this country but if I could take an opportunity which would provide for my family (and I don't know if he does have a wife & kids) financially, then I'm sorry I must be a traitor.
Simon (Auckland)
I think it is disgusting that so many NZers are attacking Luke, he can do what he pleases! He does not owe the NZ public anything. Why do people think that if you make the black jersey that you then have to stay in NZ? Like he then owes us for his own success and ability! The NZ public has a lot of growing up to do! Maybe if we channelled some real money into things we all agree matter a lot to NZ, like the ABs & America's Cup instead of giving all to people who can't be bothered to get a job! If it is for the money, good on him. If I could travel & secure my family's financial future I would & so do a lot of kiwis every year. Some times I don't feel proud to be a Kiwi.
Jason Martin
Of course they should be allowed to the world cup. The last time I saw they were contracted to the NZRU until the end of the world cup. If the NZRU had any sense they would permanently contract players till end of the Tri-Nations the following year after the world cup. That way nobody would even be thinking about signing with an overseas club until a time when the effects are less important. All this talk of signing deals is just making the players focus on the wrong things. But then I want winter games to be played in the afternoon again and leave the night games to the Super 14, where they bring a whole dimension to the game of there own.
Matt
People need to give people in Luke's situation a break. Playing rugby is his job and like any other individual you work for however wants to pay you the most for your services. In Luke's case that so happens to be a British rugby club.
Batesy
Can't be helped cause rugby in the North is heading in the direction of Soccer: multi-million dollar organisations backing teams. All we can do is hope the black jersey is enough to keep them. Trouble is when the contracts being offered hit the "millions of pounds a year", which they will eventually, let's not kid ourselves, NZ won't be able to keep up. It's a sad fact but let's get going with ideas of how to embrace this rather then moan about how to stop it. Let's make NZ rugby the dominant force in the world, financially, so the players want to stay here. Pay the money or forget about it. No one in NZ can say they would stay no matter what the money, and those that do are liars.
Kahawaikid
If I were in Luke McA's shoes I would be doing exactly the same as he is. A footy player regardless of how good (or not so good) he is has a very limited career at the top, so really do need to make the most of what they can get while they can. Until the NZRU embraces professionalism in its full sense & allows clubs/provinces to seek their own sponsorship so they are able to go someway to matching payments made by overseas clubs then this situation will recur regularly. Good luck Luke.
Bermuda
As one of the many kiwis who have taken off I can understand McAlister's urge to leave. Money didn't drive me out of NZ (though it is typically better else where) and it sounds like McAlister has the same outlook that many 23 year olds in New Zealand have, i.e. I wanna go and have a look. Nothing wrong with this in my view regardless of which profession/trade/industry you have. It can only be beneficial to NZ when we return home. Hope he enjoys the UK (and the myriad of other countries close at hand) as much as we all did.
MD (London)
As a Kiwi abroad it never fails to amaze me the number of knockers NZ seems to produce. When is NZ going to grasp the concept of professional rugby. Have New Zealanders forgotten that the current AB coach and his coaching sidekicks have had paid jobs in the UK and thanks to that the ABs now have a decent scrum. Maybe the knockers have also forgotten that the majority of the NZ league players play in either Australia and the UK with the odd game in Auckland to appease fans. I think the knockers need to admit that they are more than a little envious of young Luke. I imagine the majority you moaners have never left or are to scared to leave the shores of little old NZ. Best travel now before the dollar drops below the price of a packet of chips.
John
NZ has the best rugby in the world. Amazing as it is for such a tiny country in terms of population. The only way is to buck it in. Get more sponsors and pay more to the players. Like it or not, professional sport is what has raised the bar in all sports. The romanticism of amateurism and forcing best players in the world to "be patriotic and punish themselves economically" (this is not the army guys, its entertainment, so pay for it!) in a career that lasts a few years if they do not get physically impaired before that, is just not reasonable. Like sports, art and music bands, the 3-5 per cent of the top gobble 80 per cent or more of the revenues. You - NZ - are the #1 in the world, so just do it and charge for it! Rethink the calendar, set more attractive tours and tournaments.
mMammaji
Luke's action is selfish and a true insult to NZ rugby. He was made the star he is by playing in Auckland, Blues and ABs, so he owes NZ rugby a lot. And when he was starting to pay back, what we get is a rubbish statement and a "see you later. What message is he sending to young talents? "Learn in the local competitions and run away as quickly as possible for big moneys overseas"?? What Heyman and McAlister, and others, and before them Flavell and McDonalds, are doing is ruining rugby in this land. You wanna talk professionalism?? I suggest adding conditions in the contract of those who sign to be with NZRU that they cannot play overseas without the approval of NZRU for the 2 years after their last AB game or until they reach 30. Like this you either commit and play for the ABs or you don't get best of the two worlds and leave us empty handed. What a waste of time and money on these losers!
Ska
McAlister is the most overrated player in the world cup squad at the moment. He should count his lucky stars he is in the squad. He is no big loss to NZL rugby. We have more than capable players coming up the ranks.
Ian (AKL)
Get over it, Rugby is a professional sport.If you really want to sort it out, bring in a decent sized transfer fee, then at least the unions could afford to replace the lost talent.
Simon
Why do we think we should all have to make do with our sad little lot in NZ, While I love NZ & nothing will ever change my mind that it is the best little country in the world. We have a crap government & a collective mindset that we don't need any better? Sportsmen , especially ABs have a use by date & should be paid accordingly for the contribution they make to the country.
Digger
Last I looked, Rugby is a professional sport. AB's are a brand and a business today - globally merchandising their value. Young kiwi's do the OE. Rugby coaches do the OE. Luke, go pursue your personal and professional dream just like any other person. If he wants to and he is still good enough to play for NZ in 2010 the AB's will only benefit from a young man richer from a broader life experience. Today's players didn't have the balance in life outside rugby offered to players from amateur era. Henry picked this up early on as new coach and has helped to grow talented players into more balanced people with life goals beyond playing footy.AB's are the strongest rugby brand on the planet. The NZRFU should be able to leverage this for the financial benefit of the game, players, and supporters. You have to get in the $$$'s to keep the game strong. Getting the balance right between commercial and traditional goals will be the tricky bit. Luke is trying to the same on a personal level.
Two Eyed Foreigner
It never ceases to amaze me how one-eyed NZ'ers can be... especially when the AB's are involved.To those like Mat, who believe Luke's action are those of a 'self-centred egotistical mercenary' and that he's 'chasing the dollar, nothing else' - why shouldn't he? As another comment observes, this happens in all other professional sports - and that's what union is now.I suggest you live by your own rules and never accept a job outside of an NZ company. Oh, and don't accept the pay rise either.
Gee (Wellington)
Rugby is professional, so of course the dollars will talk and players will walk.
The only way to retain players is to pay them more money. In the rugby market place the New Zealand product (players and coaches) attract a premium but the money paid does not go to the growers, breeders and trainers (so to speak). Players like McAlister are not created in a vacuum, sure they generally have certain physical and mental attributes which are unique to the individual - but to that base is the value that is added by all the volunteer and professional coaches, trainers, advisors, support staff, etc etc, all of whom contribute to the final product.The value of this development of NZ players is never realised by the NZRFU because there are no transfer fees in Rugby. The NZRU must urgently work out a system of contracts that allow it fair compensation for this investment, which is only going to the benefit of overseas unions and the individual players when they are lured away by the big dollars.It may not be a simple matter, but it must certainly be possible and it is undoubtably necessary and fair.
Mat
McAllister is chasing the dollar, nothing else. Lifestyle change? Rubbish. When the likes of Oliver, Kelleher & Jack sign big money offshore contracts its easier to accept - these are guys who have earn't the right to enhance their life stlyes. They have bled for the jersey, endured the heartbreaking losses and put up with being under constant public scrutiny for years on end. They have paid their dues. McAllister, at a mere 23-yrs-old, has a long, long way to go before he can lay claim to the same. Given the short contract he has signed with Sale, he obviously harbours ambitions to come back in time for the 2011 world cup. In other words, he wants to have his cake and eat it too - earn the big dollars in Europe as well as play in the World Cups in between. To me, that's the behaviour of a self-centred, egotistical mercenary. Not someone worthy of wearing the All Black jersey and representing the legacy built by his predecessors. I would personally eject him from the World Cup squad. And I would also tell him not to bother coming back to try and regain his spot for the next cup either. Maybe he would be better off taking up sailing and giving Bertarelli a call.
Danis (Auckland)
I think if you leave overseas you shouldn't be allowed to make the All Blacks ever again, sure we may lose a few good players in the future but it will make these younger guys think twice about leaving. We can't offer the money so we have to use the pride of the jersey as our leverage.
Andrew
In all other major sports in the world people play for clubs all over the world but can then come back and play for their country. This is the way professional sport works. Why is New Zealand Rugby so hung up on having All Blacks stay in New Zealand?
SwanJr (Coatesville - Akl)
I think players like Luke McAlister, are true with what they have chosen. He is young, smart and aware that this is the best time for him to go and experience overseas culture without loss of employment and/or lifestyle. He has already indicated he is interested in coming back with enough time to try play himself into a 2011 World Cup Position. I feel he should be allowed to do this, as he is only keeping his options open and remains committed to NZ Rugby, but also this is his professional career, so he needs to make decisions that will help his financial status - fair enough. Smart move Luke, do it whilst your young, keep keen with rugby, good luck at world cup and see you for 2011 as well!
Ian Morine
I am very dissapointed now that Luke McAlister's departure from NZ has been confirmed. He has shown us that he is a rising force in NZ and AB rugby. It is also very difficult to see how his agreement to go and play overseas has absolutely nothing to do with money. Isn't that why there is a constant drain on our players and NZ has become the "nursery" for world rugby ?
As much as I have taken a shine to Luke's ability, watching him play, I really feel that he owes this rise and rise to NZ rugby and those that have put their faith in him. He is doing something at age 23, that should only happen in the later years of a NZ rugby players career. I do wonder why he wants a "new" experience, when he is going into only his first RWC? Very sorry to see you go Luke.
Jason Harrison
Obviously McAlister should go to the World Cup,but personally his departure does leave a somewhat bitter taste in the mouth. Despite what they may say,money is always part of the factor,and in this regard his father/manager comes across as something of a Colonel Tom Parker. Luke looked rather sheepish when asked if he would return to NZ in two years time,so i wouldn't bet against Sale offering a contract extension and New Zealand never seeing him again. Others will fill the void,but to lose a player at such an age and when he'll be at his peak is hard to take. I just hope the NZRFU gets compensation from these European clubs for developing the players they're picking off the shelves.
Guvna (Whangarei)
No these guys should not be selected. They know full well that the World Cup is the best stage on which to display their talents so I believe that they are just abusing the system. All Black selectors do not pick anybody who is not living here currently so why pick people who do not want to live here.
And please can these guys stop feeding us the line of 'new challenges' or 'different cultures'. If it was all about the rugby then why go to an inferior competition in northern hemisphere. It is just money and it seems to me that in McAllister's case he has the chance to come back and parade himself at the next world cup after which no doubt he will be off again to 'experience new challenges'.Sorry NZRFU but you have lost a supporter here for having double standards. It just epitomises the whole state of rugby in this country.
Rugby Mum
It was always on the cards for Luke to play for Sale.He seems to have both hands in both pots,The World Cup and the Money playing for Sale. He should have made his intentions clear before the team was announced so that the selectors could go with someone else. Is he not earning enough money with the NZRU or have all these rugby players become greedy and obsessed,anything over $150,000 is alot of money to the ordinary NZ'ER who struggles at earning $40,000 a yr.He has no loyalties to NZ,he's only been an AB less than 2yrs,and already chasing the big bucks.
Gee (Melbourne)
Sad to see Luke go but i suppose it's best for him and his future. After all it is only for a couple of years. However, it does open a door for someone else, same as it will for the others that are going overseas. When these overseas players do come back, I can only sense that it would be twice as hard to be picked for the AB's as a new generation of players will be just as good, if not better, than those returning. Just as an example, have a look at David Smith for Wellington, Steven Brett of Canterbury, Messam, Kahui and so-on. Yes, the depth is there so Luke, good luck overseas but remember, you might not be so lucky to get into the AB's next time.All the best All Blacks & bring the WC home.