Former All Blacks star Luke McAlister says he remains undecided about whether to make a World Cup-fueled return to New Zealand, but hopes to make the call by early next year.
The 25-year-old backline utility has been impressing observers with his play for Sale Sharks, who were pipped 24-16 at home by Munster in the latest round of Heineken Cup action.
His contract with the Manchester club ends at the conclusion of the current season and McAlister faces a tough decision on whether to extend his stay in the UK or head back to New Zealand and look to work his way back into the All Black mix ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
He admits he's in somewhat of a quandary as he weighs his options, though his close relationship with All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith could be a key element in the decision-making process.
Sale are desperate to retain his services and say they will have a contract offer before the former North Harbour star by the end of the month. His current deal pays him around $900,000 and the Sharks are expected to up that as they seek to keep their key playmaker in England.
"I'm leaving all my options open," McAlister told the Daily Mail newspaper. "I haven't committed to New Zealand and I haven't committed to staying here. I'm still in the process of making the decision.
"It depends what I want to do, whether I want to stay and make a career here and not go home for the World Cup in 2011. That's something I have to weigh up.
"I have a little girl back home (four-year-old daughter Astyn) and that would be a big factor but I left New Zealand because that's what I wanted to do and no one was going to stop me. I don't look back in regret."
The gifted 22-test All Black added: "It's going to be a very tough decision. I'll make it in January or February because I don't want to muck Sale around or New Zealand."
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has upset a few people around the Sale club when he told UK reporters recently that he wasn't sure that McAlister would return from his playing stint in the north-west of England a better player.
"I think his trip will be good for him as an individual and when he returns to these islands he'll be a well-rounded person, but I don't know if he's going to be a better rugby player," Henry said.
"There's big talk that he's going to come back reasonably soon, but there's no guarantee he's going to return to the All Blacks. To do that, he has to be good enough."
McAlister told The Independent newspaper he had no problems with Henry's comments.
"There are some people back home playing good rugby in my position," he said. "I agree completely with the view that I'd have to prove myself all over again from a place down the ladder."
But Sale officials were clearly riled by Henry's glib remarks.
"It's a bit arrogant and a bit rude to say that," head coach Kingsley Jones told The Mail. "It's also an insult to our coaching. Luke is in fantastic form as he showed in France last week (when he starred in a big win over Clermont-Auvergne). He's really settled in this season, he's feeling much more at home and proving he is one of the best players in the world."
Whatever McAlister's final decision over his future - and he concedes the pull of his daughter back in New Zealand is an equally crucial factor - he makes it more than clear the experience in Manchester has been a rewarding one.
"The old stereotypes - lots of kicking, lots of chasing, shitty conditions, rubbish fields - aren't relevant any longer. I think this experience is improving me as a player, as well as improving me as a person.
"I think more All Blacks will move to Europe after the next World Cup. The New Zealand union won't change the eligibility rules - the test team will be picked from those playing inside the country, which is only right - but you get one shot at a sporting career, and you have to make the call that suits you."
Right now it's McAlister's next call that is most eagerly awaited. Does he stay, or does he go back to New Zealand to play a part in the World Cup mission? Plenty to ponder for the young man.
