IN a squad bulging with world-class talent, its fair to say that Sale's Luke McAlister is the real deal.

As he proved in Saturday's Heineken Cup demolition job on French millionaires Clermont-Auvergne at the weekend, the quietly-spoken man from Taranaki, New Zealand is a genuine 24-carat diamond.

The centre, blessed with the power of a bulldozer and the attacking brushstrokes of an artist, has emerged as the Sharks' talisman in their stunning start to the campaign both at home and abroad.

And he will be the man Sale again look to to take the fight to Heineken Cup holders Munster who visit Edgeley Park this Sunday for what promises to be the Sharks' biggest match since their Guinness Premiership final win in May 2006.

Ironically, the men from Munster - along with French champions Toulouse - were amongst the potential suitors chasing McAlister's signature when news of the All Black's availability first surfaced early last year.

Lucky

In the end, Sale were the lucky beneficiaries, partly because of the relative anonymity that living in Manchester could afford one of New Zealand's highest-profile sport stars.

And also because the North West was something of a second home, with McAlister junior having spent nine years living here from the age of four to 13, whilst dad Charlie carved out a successful career in rugby league.

In agreeing to decamp 12,000 miles away from his Auckland home, McAlister was giving up a lot, not least his beloved All Black shirt as, when he made the switch, New Zealand decreed anyone playing abroad would not be selected.

Not that his services came cheap. A two-year deal was believed to have cost in the region of £500,000 with Sharks sponsors Blue Mantle helping pick up the tab.

McAlister's first season at Edgeley Park was something of a stop-start affair as Sale's season ultimately fizzled out.

A month into the new campaign and things couldn't be more different.

The Sharks are riding high in the league table and Saturday's heroics in France have made all of Europe sit up and take note.

For mighty Mac, meanwhile, as if being named September's Guinness Premiership player of the month wasn't enough, last Saturday's majestic performance provided a further hefty return on that investment.

"A lot of boys had been talking about the Heineken Cup ever since the draw was made and it was one of the big factors in why I wanted to come here, to be able to play in what is one of the best competitions in the world," said the 25-year-old.

"It's why we play the game, to be able to take part in huge occasions like these.

Warm

"A lot of teams might have looked at us before the competition started and thought: `Oh yeah, Sale are a bit weak mentally' but no way. They couldn't be more wrong as all the guys in the team are big game players.

"I've been here nearly a year now and I'm really enjoying my time at Sale," he added. "Obviously, I used to live here as a kid, but I've got to know Manchester on a different level now as I'm a lot older.

"When you are little, everything seems so big, so when I came back everything looked like it had shrunk! But it was good to come back and meet up with old friends that I used to go to school with.

"In fact, our old next door neighbours were still there from where I used to live plus I've been able to catch up with a lot of people on Facebook too.

"I've also made a lot of new friends and I'm enjoying the area I'm living in and I'm enjoying my rugby so I guess you can't ask for any more than that.

"Making the move to Sale has also helped me to develop as a person too, which was another of the main factors in my decision to come. I didn't just come for the rugby."

The biggest sacrifice was in saying goodbye to his family, especially his young daughter Astyn and dad Charlie.

But there have been compensations, not least in the relative anonymity he has been able to enjoy in Manchester.

"Obviously, the hardest thing has been being so far so far away from home. No matter who you are, you will always miss your family and friends," McAlister added.

Contact

"But the internet is close by and, with technology these days, you can get in contact with everyone and I speak to my dad virtually every day."

Long term however, McAlister's future is still undecided.

His 18-month contract runs out in May and though all options are open, the lure of returning home - particularly with New Zealand hosting the 2011 World Cup, might prove too much to resist.

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre won't be the only person fervently hoping that McAlister opts to stay.

SALE'S injury woes deepened last night when it was confirmed that Welsh centre Lee Thomas will be sidelined for more than three months.

Thomas, who was forced off just 14 minutes into Saturday's win at Clermont Auvergne, has been diagnosed with a severe and complex dislocation of the shoulder and will undergo surgery on Wednesday.

Has McAlister lived up to your expectations? Have your say.

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