PAY AS YOU GO: Discarded All Black Luke McAlister and the furious New Zealand Rugby Union are at loggerheads over a $60,000 payment for his early release.

Discarded All Black Luke McAlister and the furious New Zealand Rugby Union are at loggerheads over a $60,000 payment for his early release to chase the riches in France.

A disloyal McAlister wants to cut all ties and turn his back on North Harbour, New Zealand Maori and, potentially, adding to his 30-test All Blacks career after being left out of the Tri-Nations squad.

One day after the All Blacks were named, a disgruntled McAlister failed to front for Harbour training. Frantic calls from the provincial union, seeking his whereabouts, have since gone unanswered.

McAlister's father and agent, Charlie, attempted a smokescreen with the excuse Luke was caring for his ill son, who has a heart condition, saying it had been a "hell of a time in hospital the last 10 days".

The next day, however, McAlister Sr told NZRU general manager of professional rugby, Neil Sorensen, Luke wanted out, immediately, to take up a lucrative three-year deal in France.

"Charlie has asked for Luke to be released early to join Toulouse. He doesn't want to play ITM Cup," said Sorensen, who did not buy McAlister Sr's explanation for his son's absence.

"If you had a sick kid you would ring your employer. To be frank, using the family type excuse, tugging on the heartstrings, wears a bit thin when this guy is hoping in the next couple of days he can disappear to France."

McAlister will only be let go if he or the wealthy French club fronts up with the money to buy out his existing contract.

"We'll be looking for a release payment if Toulouse gets him. If we don't get it from Toulouse, we want it from the player," Sorensen indicated. "As far as we're concerned he's contracted until the end of the year to New Zealand and North Harbour. We'll contemplate an early release but only after we've agreed terms. We're in negotiations."

The maximum, marquee salary at provincial level is $60,000.

"I would imagine that he'd be on that," Sorensen said.

"If we can agree terms we'll let him go. If we can't he'll be in New Zealand until the end of the year."

McAlister has shunned New Zealand for overseas offers before. It now appears the NZRU are resenting moving mountains to bring him back from a two-year stint with Sale Sharks after the 2007 World Cup.

"Absolutely we're disappointed. It's not as if this guy hasn't been given chances in New Zealand rugby," Sorensen said.

"This is not the first time he's gone to seek his fortune offshore. We went to a lot of time, effort and expense to bring him back because we thought he could add some value and that's what they [Charlie and Luke] wanted."

While the 27-year-old missed All Black selection, he was still in the frame, both as a first five-eighth option and in his preferred role at No 12. The All Blacks have five tests before the World Cup and injuries could open the door for his recall.

"If [Colin] Slade broke his jaw tomorrow or Dan Carter or Ma'a [Nonu] went down – the guy's a top footballer.

"We want him to be available for All Blacks and New Zealand Maori selection later in the year."

Sorensen stressed early releases were not the norm. They were only granted if a provincial union agreed, and to those players who had shown loyal service.