McAlister a wanted man in Europe

[TRF_Cymro]

Bath are facing strong competition from Toulouse in the race to sign All Blacks utility back Luke McAlister.

Bath have lined up McAlister, who had a successful two-year stint at Sale before returning to New Zealand, as the ideal replacement for Butch James in the number ten jersey.

With South Africa fly-half James joining the Lions in a few months time, Bath have stepped up their efforts to lure McAlister back to the Premiership.

However Toulouse are also now keen on recruiting McAlister after losing France international David Skrela to Clermont.

The 27-year-old scored 154 points in 24 Premiership appearances for Sale before rejoining the Blues in a bid to reclaim his place in the All Blacks side.

However he has subsequently seen Dan Carter, Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Conrad Smith and even Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade move ahead of him in the pecking order.

http://www.planet-rugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,3823_6737820,00.html​

 

[ranger]

http://www.planet-rugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,3823_6737820,00.html​

These guys do realise that one of the main reasons McAllister is strugling in NZ is because he has played well below par as a flyhalf right..

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Well ... what do you expect from these clubs ... he has the potential be a better move to Toulouse rather than Bath!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Olly Barkley must be pooing himself, as they're both made in the same mold (12s who play like 10s)

 

[Teh Mite]

He'd be a complete tool to join Bath if Toulouse are sniffing around. Especially when Jouzion is winding down.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

He'd be a complete tool to join Bath if Toulouse are sniffing around. Especially when Jouzion is winding down.

This ... also the weather ... do you want to play in the Sun or the rain?

 

[Teh Mite]

I said Bath, not Shower.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I said Bath, not Shower.

 

[nickdnz]

It'd be a shame to see him leave, I'd still like to have him as 10 cover for the AB's, as Cruden and Slade are too undercooked, and Donald is well and truely burned. McAlister looks like he's in great shape, and I think he'll have a good S15.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

It'd be a shame to see him leave, I'd still like to have him as 10 cover for the AB's, as Cruden and Slade are too undercooked, and Donald is well and truely burned. McAlister looks like he's in great shape, and I think he'll have a good S15.

Yes, it'd be interesting to see how he goes in Superrugby as he hasn't really had much opportunities since his return to NZ. He's with the Blues, right? Would he get game time ahead of Brett?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Saying that would how well he plays in Super Rugby determine will he stay or go? Certainly if he has a good Super 15 campaign and gets into the All Blacks surely he will stay?

 

[Teh Mite]

With Hendrys hardcoded hatered for him combined with the NZRU's love in with Sonny Bill, I doubt he'll be an All Black again any time soon.

 

[nickdnz]

Yes, it'd be interesting to see how he goes in Superrugby as he hasn't really had much opportunities since his return to NZ. He's with the Blues, right? Would he get game time ahead of Brett?

In my mind he should, as Brett is the most over rated and least consistant 5/8ths in rugby. I think they'll alternate him in both 1st 5/8th and 2nd 5/8th, as he'll either be replacing Benson Stanley or Stephen Brett.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

In my mind he should, as Brett is the most over rated and least consistant 5/8ths in rugby. I think they'll alternate him in both 1st 5/8th and 2nd 5/8th, as he'll either be replacing Benson Stanley or Stephen Brett.

Brett had his moments of magic but I wouldn't want him making the decisions all the time. How about McAllister at flyhalf and Brett at inside center? Well, Stanley certainly is a classy player and one wouldn't want him out of the action. Who is likely to play at outside centre for teh Blues. Toeava is such a versatile player but I was erally impressed with him at 13 against the bokke last year.

 

[nickdnz]

Brett had his moments of magic but I wouldn't want him making the decisions all the time. How about McAllister at flyhalf and Brett at inside center? Well, Stanley certainly is a classy player and one wouldn't want him out of the action. Who is likely to play at outside centre for teh Blues. Toeava is such a versatile player but I was erally impressed with him at 13 against the bokke last year.

Well, I'd hope that Rene Ranger would be at inside centre with Rokocoko and Stowers to be on the wings. They also have Winston Stanley to move to centre is need be.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well, I'd hope that Rene Ranger would be at inside centre with Rokocoko and Stowers to be on the wings. They also have Winston Stanley to move to centre is need be.

Something like:
9 Mathewson
10 McAllister
11 Rokocoko
12 Benson Stenley
13 Rene Ranger
14 Stowers
15 Toeava

20 Smylie
21 Stephen Brett
22 Morland / Stanley

Wow, with dangerous runners all over the place at the back and a formidable forward pack, especially if Ali Williams can recreate some form of old and if Braid is as good in blue as he was in red the Blues look erally good on paper.

 

[ranger]

With Hendrys hardcoded hatered for him combined with the NZRU's love in with Sonny Bill, I doubt he'll be an All Black again any time soon.

I assume you mean Graham Henry.. He actually went after McAllister to get him to come back and then bent the rules to get him into the All Blacks early, so there is no hatred for him. On the contrary Henry probably favours him as hes the type of typically Auckland player Henry was fond of while coaching the Blues and Auckland teams. Luke has just been playing so poorly that Henry can't justify giving him any more chances.
]

Something like:
9 Mathewson
10 McAllister
11 Rokocoko
12 Benson Stenley
13 Rene Ranger
14 Stowers
15 Toeava

20 Smylie
21 Stephen Brett
22 Morland / Stanley

Wow, with dangerous runners all over the place at the back and a formidable forward pack, especially if Ali Williams can recreate some form of old and if Braid is as good in blue as he was in red the Blues look erally good on paper.

Jared Payne is all but a nailed down starter.

I think the most likely backline we will see is:

9)Matthewson
10)Brett
11)Ranger
12)B.Stanley
13)Payne
14)Rokocoko
15)Toeava

20)Smylie
21)McAllister
22)Stowers/Munro

The best backline available would probably include McAllister at 10, Ranger into 13 and Payne/Toeava interchanging 14/15.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Blues look a decent outfit once again!

 

[Shaggy]

I think he'll go back to Europe in 2012, regardless of whether he makes the All Blacks or not ... he might be down the pecking order for All Black selection, but you never know - SupeRugby form and injuries might put him back in contention

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He'd certainly be a better shout than Stephen Donald, but realistically he's not going to take the 10 off of Carter (or the 12 from Nonu/SBW) - I imagine playing in the WC was on his mind when he moved back to NZ, but I can't see it happening, and I don't think he'd be in with a chance for the next one so a move back up North, if he's thinking of doing it, is probably a sensible idea