Rugby: Euro and more family time prove big lures for second-tier players

Where is everybody going? Luke Braid (right) is joining Bordeaux-Begles. Keven Mealamu (No2) is likely to retire after the RWC. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand Rugby has done a fair job in retaining most of its top players post-Rugby World Cup, barring those thought to be retiring or seeking a windfall in France, but the second tier still presents a concern.

This is nothing new, of course, and there is no quick fix when the French market seems to be overflowing with cash.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew knows the French love a headline and have the money, but there are other factors at play, including the pull of the All Blacks jersey, timing - the Lions tour in 2017 is a key driver - and family considerations.

There is little, however, they can do to stop the likes of Luke Braid - probably the fourth ranked opensider - and Ben Tameifuna - probably the No3 - from taking the euro.

But they would love to have kept Ben Franks and Jeremy Thrush, both of whom made sound business decisions, knowing they are not first-choice All Blacks.

"We'd love to keep everybody and have them playing in all our competitions, but that's not the reality. If some of them think that getting to the All Blacks is a challenge, they may go sooner than we would like rather than fight for the jersey, but when one goes, it's an opportunity for another. We've got a pretty good factory going," said All Blacks selector Grant Fox.

"New Zealand Rugby, right from Tewy, through to the contracts team and [contracts manager] Chris Lendrum do an incredible job working behind the scenes, because this goes on on a regular basis.

"It's very clear our players, and coaches, are in high demand around the world. It is what it is and you just deal with it," said Fox, adding that the lines of communication are generally open so they can be proactive if a player has an overseas offer.

New Zealand Rugby would love to have players commit earlier rather than later, so expect to hear of more signings in the coming weeks and months, thus reducing the risk of distraction before the Rugby World Cup.

Blues five-eighths Dan Bowden has done the reverse, returning to New Zealand at 28, with still a few miles left in his legs. He left these shores at just 24, but knew he was not in a position to threaten for an All Blacks spot at that point in his career.

"I just felt I wanted a change at the time. These guys are making their decisions later in their career, maybe financially.

"I wanted to come back with a lot to offer, as opposed to being on my last legs. I wouldn't say the grass is necessarily greener, but there are different opportunities and you get to travel.

"I'd love to turn around and say to all these guys: don't go, but there are so many good players in NZ once you reach a certain level. I did the reverse. We wanted to raise a young family here," said Bowden.

While he admitted the huge salaries were hard to rebuff, there are other considerations.

"If you play an away game, even in France, you could be back the same day or even the next day."

Staying and going

Staying (post-2015)

Charlie Faumuina (until 2017)

Kieran Read (2017)

Owen Franks (2017)

Israel Dagg (2017)

Sam Whitelock (2017)

Cory Jane (2017)

Ben Smith (2017)

Aaron Cruden (2017)

Aaron Smith (2016)

Beauden Barrett (2016)

TJ Perenara (2016)

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (2016)

Dominic Bird (2016)

Matt Todd (2016)

Dane Coles (2016)

Sonny Bill Williams (2016)

Luke Romano (2016).

Going
Ma'a Nonu to Toulon
Dan Carterto Racing-Metro
Ben Franks to London Irish
Jeremy Thrush to Gloucester
Luke Braid to Bordeaux-Begles
Peter Saili to Bordeaux-Begles
Frank Halai to London Wasps*
Ben Tameifuna to Racing-Metro*
Jerome Kaino to Toulouse*
*Unconfirmed

Likely to retire
Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu.

Plans unknown
Conrad Smith, Tom Taylor, Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Luke Whitelock, Wyatt Crockett, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, and Julian Savea.