29
Oct
he should have to earn it back yes, yet his inclusion also seems like a sensible decision in terms of what the team needs.
he is a class higher than most other players in his position in provincial rugby, and he covers multiple positions.. and that is what the team needs with all this injury crisis atm
30 Responses to “Mcalister Is Back In Black. Your Reactions To The Cartel Calling Him Into The Ab Squad ?”
Leave a Reply
October 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
As much as I think he is crash hot (perhaps biased from being a Harbour boy), I think he should have worked his way in from the Junior AB’s. Bruce and Tuitavake (and perhaps others) have played well in the centres this year and should have had a crack first.
Them calling him into the squad is totaly legitimate as he has had dispensation, has signed for a Super 14 franchise and a province and he can be seen as a utility player. He would have also been included for the Tri-Nations anyway with his class, but yeah, a bit sneaky.
The biggest problem I have is that people will be giving him crap when he didn’t do anything, it was the selectors calling him up and is McAlister going to say no, I don’t think so!!!
Edit: Dino, wtf, McAlister isn’t an Aucklander and never has been. He is a Harbour boy. That’s like calling a Cantab an Otago supporter. We hate it when we’re lumped in with Auckland. Harbour goes from the Harbour Bridge all the way up to Wellsford. Get a map if you need to see how far north that is.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Don’t especially like McAllister, but why not? He’s signed with the NZRU so is eligible.
Nobody else has put their hand up. Callum Bruce? Puh-leease. Firstly he plays 12, not 13. A reasonable provincial player that has been made to look good at S14 level by the players around him. Who wouldn’t look half good surrounded by Donald, Kahui, Masaga, Sivi and Mils? Those 5 with Nonu in 12 would be an AB backline I’d be pretty happy with.
McAlister is more a 10/12 than 13 also, but he’s big enough to take the contact at 13 and his kicking and running should nicely compliment Nonu’s power and distribution. An exciting prospect.
However, I fully expect Toeava will start and McAlister more as cover on the bench for Donald. Which is where we really need to depth and he would have brought in to replace any back that went down.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:22 am
What happened to “We’ll only pick him as a last resort”. Once again, it looks like the NZRU has lied to everybody.
McAlister needs to earn his spot back if he wants to play for the All-Blacks. Playing club rugby in England and playing for the All-Blacks are two completely different things. He shouldn’t be in the All-Blacks squad until he’s played a full season of Air New Zealand Cup rugby, or at least a few matches.
Under NZRU protocol, McAlister can not play for the All Blacks again until he has played for a New Zealand provincial or Super Rugby franchise. All selecting him is going to do is tell players that they can run off to Europe and expect an All-Blacks spot when they return. This is the last thing the NZRU needs as they’re supposed to be trying to stop the overseas player drain.
Any integrity the NZRU had left is gone, as far as i’m concerned.
Edit: I’ve heard that he’s replacing Richard Kahui in the All-Blacks squad. McAlister doesn’t even play the same positions as Kahui, so there’s no reason to rush him back into the squad yet. Besides, if they wanted someone who plays the same positions as McAlister, they could have picked Callum Bruce, who has been outstanding this season.
October 30th, 2009 at 7:32 am
This is very unfair to all the players who aim for the AB..and this is why they never win the world cup, because the coach and selectors underestimate other players..I heard Luke is gonna start agin from the begining but I am so surprised after one match, he is now in the squad automatically, why not selecting other new plyers who are striving for the AB jersey..If that’s done to Luke, should be done to other overseas plyers. Why not selecting Tamati Ellison who had a good season even few mistakes but the overall was excellent. Mark my word..the AB will be thrashed again in the world cup if the decision making is not right. And that’s from the Leadership.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
This is the same stuff we hear every year people wanting henry to fail, I mean come on henry got the job he does a great job and he is still holding the silverware, I know what about the WC well I think it was the players on that day that let us down not henry……..get over it!!
As for the recall of McAlister well he was the only one who looked like the wanted to play against the wallabies and he tore them up a few times but had poor support play, when he gets a run on in the black jersey I think he will silence all critics as henry does every year!!
October 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
McA is lucky because the injuries has forced the selectors to use him ahead of what they said. He didnt quite prove himself when he wore Black,in my book, and has yet to. However he is very talented and versatile and well cultured into the AB environment. Just the one game may provide his chance to remain there.
The world cup team paid for putting him in ahead of Nonu whom they left behind.
If the French team arent much chop then it will be a hollow ‘test’.
If as in the BaaBaas he doesnt have an op. to show he deserves it, then the acid will on the selectors to justify retaining him. ( Watties Sourse please)
October 30th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
As an aussie it isnt a good thing. McAlistair is a gun and one of the best 10/12′s in the world.
I assume he has signed for a super 14 team next year. While it is only a matter of time before the rules regarding allowing players based overseas to play internationals are relaxed, they must be held off as long as possible in order to keep the super 14 strong.
He has already earnt his spot, the candidates for the spot for the allblacks are pretty average, even Donald is one of the more substandard allblack number 10′s in a long time
October 30th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I think it’s great that Luke is back,unlike the majority who troop off to greener pastures at the end of their careers or when they lose favour he left when his star was on the rise to take an opportunity on offer so good on him he wont die saying what if.
I’m sure he knows he has made the right decision in coming back after taking that licking from the Aussie young guns,a timely reality check to get Back in Black and KICK SOME ***.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
It seems a bit dodgy and slightly unfair that he can get straight back into the AB’s without playing provincial rugby in NZ.
I’m a McAlister fan and I’m glad he’s back. I don’t know what game some people were watching last weekend but I thought Luke played the best out of the babas.
Also, if you thought Henry would put Luke in the starting lineup at centre then you’re completely stupid. Toeava was always the utility replacement and the obvious choice at centre since he played well in that position in this years super 14. Luke is on the bench for the ABs as cover for multiple positions.
I’m pretty sure the ABs management know what they’re doing and we should really support their decision since we can’t influence them.
October 31st, 2009 at 1:53 am
The NZRFU say they will make an exception for overseas based players if a selected AB gets injured. So what happens – the AB selectors pick someone who they know has had injury problems all year, ie, Kahui, and then, hey presto, he gets injured and in comes Luke.
Secondly, it’s not Luke’s fault that he gets promoted. Good on him and go Luke. But hang on, Chris Jack has just said that UK rugby is 2nd rate and the Baa Baas allround performance was pretty dismal so how on earth ANYONE FROM THE UK AND/OR THE BAA BAAS can get promoted straight into the AB’s just doesn’t work for me if you even remotely believe Chris Jack. The way we fast track players like this when they haven’t played against their peers in the S14 comp will just lead to more players jumping ship overseas for the $$, because the “goalposts” keep getting moved.
October 31st, 2009 at 3:47 am
I believe its very unfair that Mc Alister is right back in the all blacks, surely we have great players in New Zealand that needs to be given the opportunity to show their potentials. This can be a great opportunity to develop the players for the up coming world cup, New Zealand needs to be realistic and accept the fact that there are times to win and times to lose. When players are injured, like what’s happening at the moment it’s the best time to train up someone new. BUT, Not to go running after those players who have chosen their own priorities over new zealand rugby. I can’t believe how very in-considered NZRU is. The up coming generation of rugby players we should focus on, not those who have moved on and wants to come back when they feel like it. This makes New Zealand Rugby look so desperate which makes me sick in the stomach.
October 31st, 2009 at 4:35 am
I don’t believe he consistently displays the talent and performance level which justifies the favouritism shown by the selectors which in turn is creating a dangerous precedent at the expense of local players who’ve put in the hard yards. No wonder we have – and will continue to so – lost so many foundation players from our local scene.
McAlister’s performance for the Baa Baa’s showed poor vision, erratic judgement and not a lot more than a regular sidestep.
October 31st, 2009 at 11:17 am
its not like the AB’s need him hey… where will he play? he wasn’t very influential in the baa-baa’s match.
With donald playing the best rugby of his career and nonu and smith offering a deadly center pairing and with muliaina being the best fullback in the world currently there is just no real need for him in the starting team. Maybe off the bench but with the young guns like brett and kuihi playing solid rugby its interesting that they even considered him…
October 31st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I agree, looks like desperation from NZRU who cannot avoid losing quality players heading to Europe where they once labelled substandard level of rugby and we now read that McAllisters time abroad has done him good. He did n’t look too impressive for the Ba Ba’s. Still everybody is worth a second chance, I hope is goes well for him against France.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:34 pm
This is politically motivated. It has nothing to do with class or ability. See Carlos, Cullen and Buck for further proof. It has nothin to do with the game on the field as much as the flippin games off it. The NZRU want to keep the class in the Country, so you have to pay for it. Welcome home Luke. Its damage control, or the buggers wouldnt be leaving in droves. If he really wanted to be an All Black, or up to std he would not have left. O.E? rather quick wasnt it? Funny that you can go for an indefinite time, but no minimum time…mmm just in case aye you never know, it might be a dumb thing to leave the NZRFU in the first place for greener grass and find out youre an idiot in a bind. Pat on the back and see you next weekend and dont forget ya boots. Rugby aye grass roots…I thought it went professional some time back.
November 1st, 2009 at 4:08 am
he is overrated…..why dont we give someone else a crack in the midfield as thats where he can only play cause he is not a 1st fives ********, a good individual but lacks vision, young tim bateman is a capable midfielder and being so young could have been wise to blood another genuine midfeilder.
November 1st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Lose a centre and replace him with a five-eighth? Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Now there’s 3 halfbacks, two first-fives (plus Weepu), plus Toeava who’s a utility, and Nonu at second and no recognised centre at all. It’ll be musical chairs out there, if say, Mils goes down, or smokin’ Joe. Time for Toeava to step up I guess but people have been saying that for yonks!
November 1st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
where is the call-up for anthony tuitavake or callum bruce?
while no one can deny the class that mcalister can bring to the ab’s, I still reckon that tuitavake or bruce deserved a black jersey through consistently good performances throughout the year.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Rat sh it.. Henry said that players would be picked on Super 14 form, he`s lied again…..he`s rapidly losing the support of people who stuck up for him when he was getting his *** kicked out of the job last time.
As for Luke, he`s not that bad a player, but over rated, he will be found out by both the Aussies and the Saffa`s, we will likely come third in Tri Nations, then, maybe Henry will go.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Absolutely YES because he can play as 10 and 12. Better put him on the bench to cover number 10 or 12. Toeava as starting 13 for this weekend. Toeava can play 12, 13 and 15 but McAlister can cover number 10. No point to call Bruce.
Toeava can do it!
Go Ice and Go Blacks
November 1st, 2009 at 8:07 pm
If the AB selectors want him, as opposed to any other NZ based player, they obviously think he is the right man at this time, irrespective of what us armchair experts think. I back them to get it right(world cups excluded!), almost all of the time.
November 1st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
McAlister’s selection is entirely consistant with the NZRU’s stand on overseas players.
He is now contracted to the RU and not to an overseas club.
The only variation with prior returnees is the speediness of his reselection.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:21 am
why dont we just put all the damn Aucklanders in the All Blacks,even the overseas ones,bring back king carlos,might as well with Graham Henry as the boss,i hope the Aussies win the tri nations and show up Henry for the true idiot he is.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:51 am
i quess if he play well for the all blacks everyone will say it was a good choice.
if he doesnt everyone will say it was a bad decision…
is he the first player ever to archieve this?
straight from euro to blacks?
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
Well he really hasn’t proved himself in Southern Hemisphere style rugby has he. A couple of runs in that Baba game can’t be taken seriously.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
In the end it comes down to what Greame Henry wants as him Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith make the decisions. why shouldnt he play remember Leon McDonald what is the difference
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
luke deserves to be in the squad..we cannot compare bruce or donald with world rated mcalister…thanx Henry.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Well at least he has more than half a brain compared to the ones we have at the moment.And he passes the ball!
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
He is a class player and i would have him in my team. We will need him to win the world cup so let him play. USE THE FORCE LUKE
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I agree he is good but there are up and coming players…why not give them a chance to prove themselves…this only proves that rules are not the same for everyone….