Rugby: Colin Slade confirms move to French club

Colin Slade has signed a three-year deal with French side Pau. Photo / Getty

The drain on top All Black talent continues with first five Colin Slade the latest to reject overtures from New Zealand Rugby to stay post World Cup.

The Crusaders pivot has signed a three-year contract with French club Pau who have just won promotion to the Top 14.

The 27-year-old is expected to earn around $700,000 a season.

Other All Blacks heading to Europe
• Carter confirms move to Racing Metro
• Frank Halai signs with English side
• Nonu signs with Toulon
• Franks joins growing exodus

Pau coach, former All Black Simon Mannix says it was a pretty quick process to secure Slade.

"A player of his quality comes onto the market and will invariably draw the attention of almost every club, so it was done pretty quickly."

Slade will join All Blacks teammate Conrad Smith who has signed a two year deal with the French club to start after the World Cup.

That leaves Brodie Retallick, Julian Savea and Sam Cane as key All Blacks who are yet to say what they will do after the World Cup.

Savea and Cane are believed to be close to announcing that they will be staying in New Zealand until at least 2017.

All Blacks departing after Rugby World Cup
Dan Carter (Racing Metro)
Ma'a Nonu (Toulon)
Conrad Smith (Pau)
Frank Halai (Wasps)
Jeremy Thrush (Gloucester)
Charles Piutau (Ulster)
Ben Franks (London Irish)
Francis Saili (Munster)

All Blacks signed through to 2017
Aaron Cruden
Kieran Read
Owen Franks
Cory Jane
Israel Dagg
Ben Smith
Sam Whitelock
Malakai Fekitoa
Steven Luatua
Jerome Kaino
Charlie Faumuina

All Blacks signed through to 2016
Dane Coles
Sonny Bill Williams
Aaron Smith
Beauden Barrett
Liam Messam
Luke Romano
TJ Perenara
Dominic Bird
Patrick Tuipulotu