KEY POINTS:
There was a time when men were men. Now even our grittiest rugby heroes are hanging up their boots to pursue other, less muddy activities.
All Black and Blues star Ali Williams is the latest, as the Herald on Sunday reveals today. He plans to spend much of next season pursuing commercial opportunities in the United States with his girlfriend Casey Green, a pole dancer instructor and bikini model.
The New Zealand Rugby Union is in talks with the 28-year-old over a contract extension that would see him back for the 2011 World Cup. But the move could see the lock miss all or part of the 2010 Super 14.
His sabbatical could see him holding coaching clinics with American players, as well as raking in the dollars through speaking engagements at corporate functions.
Williams isn't the only one with his mind on off-field matters.
Last weekend the Blues were without two All Blacks for their opening Super 14 game against the Western Force in Perth.
Flanker Jerome Kaino and winger Joe Rokocoko were out of the travelling party because of paternity leave. Both players are expecting their first children in the coming week.
Other All Blacks have been summoned to the court of public opinion for their off-the-field antics.
In 2006 hooker Anton Oliver posed nude for a portrait by Simon Richardson.
Called Black Field, the picture features Oliver naked, facing a wall.
Dan Carter, who last year took up a contract at French club Perpignan has been modelling Jockey underwear for years - and who can forget Ma'a Nonu's eyeliner phase.
It wouldn't have happened in my day, harrumph the old-timers.
In 1986, a French pack gave All Black great Wayne Shelford a string of injuries that included concussion, missing teeth, and the infamous ripped scrotum.
Unperturbed, the number eight instructed the physio to stitch him at the side of the pitch so he could play on.
But All Black mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka said people who criticised the lifestyle of today's team were not looking at the full picture.
Opportunities like Williams' sabbatical could "nourish and nurture" other skills, besides rugby.
"Society's better if they're more well-rounded," Enoka said.
Enoka accepted criticism from "the veterans and baby boomers" but said things had changed.
Research had shown that 80 minutes of rugby took the same toll as a car crash once injuries and mental stress were taken into account.
None of this mattered when Colin "Pinetree" Meads played his 133 All Black matches, 11 as captain.
"They have a baby nowadays and it's sold to New Idea," Meads said.
"There was nothing like that in our days, it's completely different but that's the way the game goes."
But Meads, who refused to leave the field during a 1970 match against Eastern Transvaal, despite breaking his arm, was supportive of William's possible move to the United States.
"New Zealand players are sought after, all over the world."
