KEY POINTS:
Leicester Tigers have lost patience with Aaron Mauger and are now chasing Luke McAlister. The giant English club are determined to bolster their ranks with a world-class midfielder and want to complete a deal well ahead of next year's World Cup.
McAlister's father Charlie met Tigers officials last week but stressed that his son was months away from making any decision about his future.
"Luke is miles away from committing to anything," said McAlister senior. "He has only just got back from Europe and it has been a big year for him so he's looking forward to some time off.
"I met some people from Leicester. It was an informal chat and they are just one of a a few big clubs that have expressed an interest."
McAlister recently signed a one-year extension on his New Zealand Rugby Union contract that will keep him here until the end of next season. The 23-year-old only wanted a short-term deal so he could keep his options open.
His goal is to become a consistent starter for the All Blacks and force his way past either Mauger or Daniel Carter. The chances of ousting Carter from the No 10 jersey are remote but McAlister made the most of his limited opportunities this season.
Last week former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick said that he rated the North Harbour man as the best second five-eighths in the world.
It was high praise indeed.
The maturity and precision of McAlister's performances on the recent tour of Europe impressed to the point there were many astute judges unsure why he wasn't preferred to Ma'a Nonu in the crunch test against France in Paris.
If McAlister can build on his 2006 season then he's likely to see a lot of test action in the No 12 jersey next year, possibly even in the final stages of the World Cup.
If he does, then staying in New Zealand beyond 2007 remains a real prospect. However, the major European clubs want to get their big signings contracted well before next September and Leicester will pressure McAlister to make a commitment.
The English clubs have to operate within a salary cap and like to know how much room they will have in their budget months ahead of the new season's kick-off.
It is understood that interest in Mauger, who also comes off contract at the end of next year, cooled after a meeting with the player and his representatives in London last month during the All Black tour.
