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Rugby chiefs are keen to see tax cuts introduced for top players, as New Zealand struggles to compete with the spending power of leading English and French clubs.
Attempts to introduce a softer tax regime for sports stars was first quashed three years ago despite lobbying by All Black coaches.
But New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew says the scheme would help keep top players in New Zealand.
"It is something that we might take another look at it as there is no doubt it could be another tool for us to retain players," Tew told the Herald on Sunday yesterday.
All Black assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen returned from British coaching stints in 2004 and urged the NZRU to push for tax breaks similar to those available in much of Europe.
The NZRU liked the idea but it failed to gain any mileage at a political level.
"We had informal talks with both the National and Labour parties but we failed to get any traction," said Tew.
"Our take on those conversations was that both parties viewed that any change in the tax regime is complex and would require considerable work."
The issue, though, has refused to die.
The New Zealand Rugby Players' Association (NZRPA) wanted to explore mechanisms to lower the tax burden for top players during the last collective bargaining in 2005.
Head of the NZRPA Rob Nichol had seen how the Irish had used tax incentives to persuade leading players to return to Ireland.
Under the terms of Sportsmen's Tax Relief, professional rugby players in Ireland can claim back 40 per cent of their tax, provided they see out their playing days in Ireland.
There was, however, no appetite to explore the options.
"We would love to have a discussion about this," said Nichol, "but we have not yet had an opportunity. It is something we are keeping an eye on."
But hopes are growing that meaningful political discussion could yet take place.
The last collective introduced guaranteed retainers and linked player income to overall NZRU turnover, which dramatically improved remuneration packages.
But the spending power of French and English clubs has increased and New Zealand is struggling to compete financially.
With the NZRU already financially stretched, there is little prospect of upping salaries to compete and innovative tax breaks could be a vital weapon in the battle to retain talent, said Tew.
There are increasing concerns about the retention of All Blacks as more top players leave for offshore clubs earlier in their careers.
