Fresh off the plane from NewZealand, All Black and Sale’s star signing Luke McAlister spoke to www.rucked.com
Was joining Sale a tough choice to make?
It was a huge decision, it took me five or six months to make. But it was time for a change, it was time to get outside of Auckland – I was sick of Auckland. I couldn’t see myself living there for next ten years and I wanted to get out and see some new scenery. I wanted to play overseas and explore the world and Sale gave me a chance to do that. I never wanted to look back and think I made a mistake [in not going].
You lived in Manchester from the age of four to 13 while your dad was playing professional rugby league, what do you remember of the region?
Snow! That’s a strong memory and the cold in general. Hopefully I’ll go for a drive to where I used to live later on to revisit some places – it’s good to be back though. Another good memory from my childhood is chips and gravy – every time I used to come back here with the All Blacks I would always try and find a chippie that does good chips and gravy.
How much do you know about Sale?
I’ve put in a bit of homework because I didn’t want to come here knowing nothing about the club. I spoke to the trainer about how they do things and I want to try to fit in. I don’t want to come here and be the big mouth or the big All Black that wants to run the show. I just want to come in and do what I’m told.
Going back to the World Cup, what was it like in the dressing room afterwards?
It was the worst experience I’ve had in my rugby career. I wouldn’t want to go back there and relive that ever again, that’s for sure. It was horrible – just dead silence and people crying.
What made the defeat so tough?
It was the preparation that the guys had put in for that World Cup over the past three or four years – it was all shoved down the drain in the space of 80 minutes. It was hard to take and the public at home said it all…
What did they say?
The public are getting better about us losing games now, but they were pretty crushed about World Cup. I would get the odd guy in supermarkets giving us a bit of grief, but you just take it on chin.
What sort of thing did they say?
‘Why not take a drop kick?’ – that was the main one!
Is Graham Henry the right man for the job?
If Graham wants too reapply and go back then he’s the man for the job – you can’t point the finger at the coaches for us losing. It was just one of those days, if a few calls went our way things could’ve been different.
With so many All Blacks heading to Europe, do the side need to rebuild?
I don’t think so mate, New Zealand produce so many talented players it’s unreal. If you took the second string All Black side and chucked them around the world they would make the starting team of any side. It’s amazing for a country so small to produce so many players. I guess it’s just like here with football, you grow up wanting to be an All Black from the age of about three.
Speaking of which, we hear you played football when you were here. Were you any good?
I was alright, I guess, I played striker – I liked to look good! I played football since I was three and just kicked a ball around with some mates – like everyone else around here I was brought up with it at school. I think the timing I learnt from playing football is why I can kick goals in rugby.
You were even good enough to spend time in the Manchester United school of excellence. What made you quit?
I got sick of the coach and just decided I was going to do what my dad does and play rugby league.
What was so bad about him?
It was the way he did things. I remember him well - he was pretty intense and it was good to get away from him.
To finish on a totally random note, how big are your legs? Ever measured them?
Nah mate, who measures their legs? I’ve got my old man’s legs – it’s genetic, I don’t even do weights. You should see my granddad, he’s 60 or 70 and he’s got the biggest calves you’ve ever seen I swear to god. He can’t even wear gum boots, he has to cut them at the back so they fit around his calves!