The Independent (Free subscription) | 19/11/2009
Whatever the Nigerian-born centre Ayoola Erinle brings to the England midfield on his first Test start this weekend, it is unlikely to be a kicking game that will leave some of the world's more rounded No 12s – Berrick Barnes of Australia, Luke McAlister of New Zealand, Felipe Contepomi of Argentina – wondering where they went wrong. "What makes you think Ayoola will have to kick...
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 15/11/2009
Italy 6-20 New Zealand New Zealand won as expected, but in accounting for Italy in a dour display at the football citadel of San Siro, the All Blacks' scrum was embarrassed. No more acutely than at the end when the All Blacks were desperately defending their line in front of more than 77,000 spectators, the biggest crowd for a Test match in Italy. During the last eight minutes, the teams set 13 scrums,...
Japan Times (Free subscription) | 15/11/2009
LONDON (AP) Luke McAlister's five penalties helped lackluster New Zealand beat Italy 20-6 Saturday, and a late try by England winger Matt Banahan silenced the home fans' boos in a 16-9 triumph over Argentina. Due to meet at Twickenham next Saturday, both the All Blacks and England hoped for impressive performances. Although the English came up with a hard-earned victory to take some of the heat off...
Sydney Morning Herald (Free subscription) | 14/11/2009
Luke McAlister's boot eased the All Blacks to an unconvincing 20-6 Test rugby win over Italy after a brutal forward battle at a packed San Siro on Saturday.
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 14/11/2009
Italy 6-20 New Zealand Italy's forwards found their famed strength far too late before a full house at the San Siro to give an exuberant crowd of 80,000 nothing more than the hope of a consolation try. By the time the captain Sergio Parisse had fired up his men to inspire the packed stands, the All Blacks had wrapped up this one-off international to maintain an unbeaten record of 12 games against...
Planet Rugby (Free subscription) | 27/10/2009
Luke McAlister is the only player unavailable for New Zealand's Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia in Tokyo this weekend.
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 18/10/2009
• Fly-half Mike Delany and wing Ben Smith surprise choices • All Blacks to face Wales, Italy, England and France Zac Guildford and Tamati Ellison were two of the four new faces named in the New Zealand squad for their tour to Japan and Europe, but the real surprises were the fly-half Mike Delany and the wing Ben Smith. Delany has been in good form for Bay of Plenty during the New Zealand...
Planet Rugby (Free subscription) | 14/10/2009
Luke McAlister will be available for New Zealand's end-of-year tour after an MRI scan on his injured ankle confirmed the damage was not as serious as first thought.
Planet Rugby (Free subscription) | 12/10/2009
Luke McAlister's November tour is in doubt after he suffered an ankle injury in North Harbour's 28-7 win over Bay of Plenty on Saturday.
Italy Down Under (Free subscription) | 02/10/2009
. Dan Carter is back, but it's elsewhere in the All Blacks lineup to face Australia on Saturday night that Graham Henry has sprung the real surprises. Luke McAlister and Kieran Read earn promotions for the high-stakes Bledisloe II showdown at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, while out-of-form wing Josevata Rokocoko has survived the cull. All three will be regarded as contentious decisions, though an...
Not PC (Free subscription) | 24/09/2009
Susan Ryder spent last weekend in Wellington – and it was so good she’s only now put finger to keyboard to tell you about it. There are few places more glorious on a good day than Wellington. And there are few places more atrocious on a bad day. Luckily, I struck the former last Saturday night when I was persuaded to take my two nephews and their best mate to the test at the Cake Tin with...
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 08/09/2009
• Donald and Nonu brought in for injured McAlister and Smith • Wallabies' taming of Boks reignites All Blacks campaign New Zealand will field a revamped midfield for their Tri-Nations crunch match against South Africa in Hamilton on Saturday, bringing in Stephen Donald and Ma'a Nonu for the injured pair Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith. Donald replaces McAlister at inside centre while Nonu,...
Keo.co.za (Free subscription) | 06/09/2009
It looks increasingly likely that Dan Carter will start at inside centre against the Springboks in Hamilton. This as the All Blacks are missing both Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith through injury. Coach Graham Henry lost faith in Ma’a Nonu and has been shorn of three legitimate back-up options in Tamati Ellison, Richard Kahui and Casey [...]
The Rugby Blog (Free subscription) | 03/09/2009
Sale Sharks is another team that have seen several key players depart, and Jon Hobbs previews their Guinness Premiership campaign. Players In: Ben Cohen (Brive) Sisa Koyamaibole (Toulon) Gavin Kerr (Edinburgh) David Seymour (Saracens) Mahonri Schwalger (Scarlets) David Bishop (Ospreys) Marika Vakacegu (Cornish Pirates) Jack Forster (Gloucester) Players Out: Luke McAlister (Auckland Blues) Jason White...
Keo.co.za (Free subscription) | 02/09/2009
Stephen Donald could return at flyhalf with Graham Henry favouring Dan Carter and Ma’a Nonu as the All Blacks’ midfield. Centres Conrad Smith and Luke McAlister are unavailable forcing the New Zealand coach to rethink his 10-12-13 dynamic. Donald, Carter and Nonu ran moves on Wednesday as the All Blacks’ prepare for their meeting with the [...]
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