Luke McAlister could be lost to New Zealand rugby by the end of the week.
The Blues and All Blacks star will meet with representatives from French glamour club Toulouse in the next few days and will be handed a contract worth a staggering $892,600 a year.
Toulouse spokesperson Celine Cluzel confirmed a club staffer would be in Auckland this week to secure the deal.
McAlister's father and manager Charlie confirmed he was negotiating with Toulouse.
If the deal is done it will be a massive loss to New Zealand rugby.
With Aaron Mauger already signed up by Leicester, McAlister was seen as the natural replacement in the All Blacks No 12 jersey.
He ability to play at first-five would also add long-term stability to the post-World Cup All Blacks side, where he's been seen as cover for Dan Carter.
Even if the Toulouse deal falls over, a long list of European clubs, including last year's European champions Munster, are vying for McAlister.
Charlie McAlister confirmed his son's preference to play in Europe and not for the All Blacks when he said: "No contract has been signed yet.
"It doesn't matter where he goes to but if it's in Europe that's great. If not it won't be."
While the loss of McAlister will be a blow, the NZRU will soon be able to celebrate re-signing wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The same European-based source that has delivered Sunday News a long list of exclusives on the recent movements of the All Blacks, said Sivivatu now had no interest in leaving New Zealand.
"He feels like he owes the NZRU something after they stuck by him when he was in court last month," the source said.
"Loyalty is something that's very important to him and now he wants to repay that faith."
There could also be more good news for the NZRU regarding halfback Jimmy Cowan.
He has been offered a $33,000-a-month deal by Stade Francais.
But billionaire owner Max Guazzini now has an eye on Byron Kelleher's situation at Agen.
Agen face a must-win game against Stade Francais next weekend.
If they lose that game Agen could be relegated and Kelleher's contract ripped up.
The All Blacks No 1 halfback would then become a ... agent.
The NZRU would then have another opportunity to negotiate with Cowan.
Copyright stuff.co.nz
Bon, on apprend plusieurs choses.....
D'abord que Mc Allister doit signer cette semaine pour Toulouse, son agent de père sera en france ce lundi sans doute....
On apprend aussi que sivivatu ne viendra pas en europe, ni à Agen, ni ailleurs puisqu'ila prolongé avec la féfé neo zelandaise....
On apprend, enfin, que si par malheur le SUA venait a descendre, le contrat de Kelleher serait rompu de fait, et qu'il pourrait filer à paris.....
J'espère que ça ne sera pas la motivation qui manquait à paris pour jouer à fond à Armandie
Sujet: News des Blacks.... 
Dim 13 Mai 2007 - 18:37
