Luke McAlister says he will make up his mind early next year whether to go back to New Zealand.
Will he stay or will he go?
Luke McAlister says he will make up his mind early next year whether to stay in Europe or go back to New Zealand.
All Black McAlister turned down offers from Munster and Toulouse to join Guinness Premiership side Sale Sharks on a two year deal.
Now that two year deal is coming to an end, the 25-year-old fly-half/ inside centre is expected to head back to New Zealand to try and add to his 22 All Black caps.
"I have not thought about it too much," admitted McAlister to Sky Sports News.
"It will start to come up in the next few months of what I am going to do. I will leave my options open until I have to make a decision whether it's going home or staying.
"I have not committed to New Zealand, I have not committed to Sale or Europe, but I will have to make that decision early in the new year."
Home improvements
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has claimed McAlister might struggle to return to the national side if he does return home and has even questioned whether he has improved since moving to England.
But on his own form, McAlister believes that is dependent on how the team is playing.
"I look at it as how the team is going, if the team is playing well then obviously you can play well and you get more opportunities to do good things," said the former Auckland Blues player.
"If the team is going forward that obviously makes my job easier running onto some front foot ball. I guess I am feeling pretty fit and injury free which is always pretty good.
"I am definitely learning different types and styles of the game. Different conditions, different fields and different stadiums and obviously different levels of rugby."
No guarantees
Despite his world class displays for Sale, McAlister knows if he does return to New Zealand, he has a tough battle to regain his place in the All Black squad.
"It is a tough thing to do especially coming from a ten month season here, admitted McAlister.
"If I did go back I would have to earn that right to play for the All Blacks again.
"If I did go home then that would factor into a big goal of mine, but if I did go home I am not expecting to walk straight back into the side."
Heineken highs
For now McAlister is thinking about just one thing - the Heineken Cup and facing some of his fellow New Zealanders.
McAlister was in his scintillating best in the Heineken Cup first round as he guided Sale to one of their best victories in the club's history with a win away at Clermont Auvergne.
However Sale face defending champions Munster on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 2 & HD2, and McAlister for one is relishing the challenge.
"I can't wait," admitted McAlister. "Playing some of my old kiwi mates - Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi and Doug Howlett is going to be great.
"Running out to play against Doug is always a challenge and something I really look forward to.
"It is a different level playing in the Heineken Cup, the build up is a lot different and to play Munster at home in the second game is going to be huge for us.
"We love playing at Edgeley Park and it is not an easy place to come and play. Munster are probably used to that though, going to places that they don't like.
"They are a big game team with a lot of big game players; going up against them is going to be one of the highlights for me this year."
