Leicester woo Mauger

Overseas interest in Aaron Mauger is heating up, with English giants Leicester expressing an interest in signing the All Black midfielder when he comes off contract next year.

The 25-year-old second five-eighths has a number of other interested parties keen to kick-start negotiations in an attempt to sign him well ahead of next year's World Cup.

But Mauger is in no rush to make any decisions about his future and is likely to hold off until next year before committing to any new contract.

His agent, Lou Thompson, said: "It is very much a work in progress. Leicester have expressed an interest and we know that a number of other clubs are interested in talking to Aaron because he is playing very good football.

"But he will only be 26 after the next World Cup. He might be able to squeeze through to another World Cup. He might want to sign an extension with the New Zealand Rugby Union. He's not ready to make any decisions. It's too early for that.

"From the player's point of view, it would be better to wait until after the World Cup but in terms of the clubs' planning, they would want to get things done earlier, in February, March next year."

Although still only 25, Mauger has been part of Canterbury and the Crusaders since 2000 and may feel ready for a change after seven years.

Given Mauger's age, it is feasible he could play a few seasons in Europe and return to New Zealand in time to try and secure a place in the All Blacks ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

He may find the financial incentive to head overseas hard to turn down. Capable of playing at first- or second-five, he is the type of player for which English clubs would pay a premium.

Mauger has become arguably the key member of the All Black backline this season. His distribution has been outstanding, as has his communication and ability to read the game.

Those are skills which few inside backs in England possess and Mauger could command between £200,000 ($600,000) and £250,000 ($750,000) a season to play for a club such as Leicester.

He has the added attraction of owning a French passport, which is a big deal as there is a quota on the number of non-European Union players English clubs can contract.

News that Mauger is attracting overseas interest will presumably be welcomed by Luke McAlister.

The North Harbour back is holding out for a one-year contract extension as he fears he will never overtake either Mauger or Daniel Carter in the All Black pecking order.

The 23-year-old wants to remain in New Zealand until the end of next year and then assess his options. If he feels his All Black chances will still be limited, he may look to play overseas.

But if Mauger opts to leave New Zealand after the 2007 World Cup, then there would be an obvious opportunity for McAlister to establish himself as New Zealand's first choice second five-eighths.

The problem for McAlister, though, is that he is off contract at the end of this year and will have to commit before he knows what Mauger is doing. So far neither North Harbour nor Wellington have bowed to his demands for a one-year deal and have instead made offers that will keep him here until 2009.