As players head overseas, New Zealand franchises are looking to a reduced player pool for next years competition.
Bundee Aki is off to Connacht next year
The dam gates have been flung open, as Super Rugby players desert New Zealand in droves for the financial incentives in Japan and Europe.
As the All Black selectors unveiled their extended training group for the June internationals with England, the discards firmed up plans for strong overseas deals before the next World Cup.
A dozen players have confirmed they will not play Super Rugby next year while others like Tanerau Latimer and Andy Ellis are expected to reveal they are also joining the exodus.
Those on the march are Andre Taylor, Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Jackson Willison, Bundee Aki, Alipati Leuia, Tyler Bleyendaal, Chris Noakes, Jack Lam, Jarrad Hoeata, Tom McCartney and now Corey Flynn, who tweeted yesterday that he was off to Toulouse.
Buxton Popoali’i and Benji Marshall have left already while there are growing noises about the impending departures of Latimer, Ellis, Ben Tameifuna and Gareth Anscombe.
There is a growing feeling amongst the Super Rugby players, whom feel they are unlikely to gain World Cup selection that there will be more opportunity in Europe and Japan now, then after the World Cup, when the aging super stars of the game look for financial sweeteners before they call a day on their careers.
Tyler Bleynendaal heading to Munster
Tyler Bleyendaal, for example, would feel his chances are pretty low, considering he has immense competition for the Crusaders 10 jersey, let alone the All Blacks. Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Tom Taylor ahead of him as five-eighths at the Crusaders and others around the country rated higher too.
Bleyendaal captained the New Zealand under-20 side to the world title in 2010 and has played more than 20 games for the Crusaders but his way to the top in New Zealand is blocked by many rivals.
He is heading to Munster while another Irish club, Connacht, have picked up Muliaina, Aki and McCartney.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has been keen to trumpet the signatures of most of its wider All Black group who are committed to the next World Cup season.
That group is Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Sonny Bill Williams, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Ma’a Nonu, Francis Saili, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Dane Coles, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Jerome Kaino, Luke Romano, Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Afeaki, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush and Luke Whitelock.
That is a hefty pile of talent and the core of the All Blacks who will defend their global crown next year.
Their Super Rugby teams will need them to show their class during that series but the All Black coaches will also be asking coaches to monitor players’ workload and arrange some down time. That will put more emphasis on the quality of the remaining players across the five New Zealand sides. That pressure will increase in 2016 if the proposed tournament expansion occurs.
