John Kirwan believes top players now have the ability to have a stint overseas and return to New Zealand with a great All Blacks career in front of them.
Times are changing, he said, in the wake of Charles Piutau's decision to sign with Ulster for two years rather than the Blues and New Zealand Rugby. The rewards are getting bigger overseas - with billionaire French club owners making money in rugby thanks to rising television rights deals - and players are retiring later.
Kirwan pointed to the example of Rene Ranger returning next season for the Blues after two years at Montpellier. Jerome Kaino, who spent two seasons in Japan, before returning to his best form at the Blues and All Blacks, is another.
"I think with Rene and Co coming back, that has changed the philosophy of the some of the younger guys," Kirwan said. "They're saying 'I can actually go away and come back in two or three years' time and still build on that'. I think they understand the currency [of the All Blacks jersey].
"Maybe it's the future. Guys are going to go offshore and come home and still be All Blacks for 10 years. If that's the case we need to make sure we plan for it.
