Luke McAlister playing for the NZ Maori in 2010. Photo: NZPA
Former All Black Luke McAlister has announced his retirement at the age of 34.
"It's a good time to let you all know that I called it a day on my rugby career," McAlister wrote on his Instagram account.
"It's been one hell of a ride, 17 years of travelling the globe doing what I love."
After winning a Super Rugby championship with the Blues in 2003, the centre played nine years in Europe, finishing this season as a medical joker for the French Top 14 club of Clermont.
McAlister wore the All Black jersey in 30 tests until 2011 and was part of the squad which lost to France in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final.
Not selected for the 2011 World Cup, he scrapped the idea of playing again for the All Blacks by joining the Stade Toulousain and claimed the Top 14 title in his first season.
McAlister said he will stay living with his family in France.
"Now it's time for the next chapter which is to move back to the best city of the world Toulouse (a little biased)".
The move is another twist in the midfielder’s colourful career.