Luke McAlister's All Black Debut

A test match against the British & Irish Lions is not normally considered an environment in which to blood youngsters. However, New Zealand coach Graham Henry showed great faith in young Luke McAlister to throw him into the lion’s den against a team hungry for victory after two previous test defeats.

McAlister rectified a shaky start in his first game in an All Black jersey to deliver a decent debut.

In the initial stages of the game the 21 year old fly-half’s nerves were evident through a couple of aimless kicks and some less than ideal handling. However, once he settled into the pace of the match and found a rhythm, he was able to display his skills with confidence.

McAlister hung up his boots in 2018 after a sixteen year career in which he earned 31 caps for the All Blacks.