Rugby's euro market falls in value

New Zealand's player drain, once a gush, is now a trickle. Significant numbers of senior players have rebuffed the advances of European glamour clubs in recent weeks.

The new player collective agreement, which provides guaranteed retainers, and the lure of being part of next year's World Cup are the two key factors in persuading players to remain in New Zealand.

Most European clubs are currently scrambling to finalise their squads for next season and have been sounding out the availability of prominent New Zealanders such as Chiefs captain Jono Gibbes. Some of those approached have confirmed they want to stay in New Zealand, others have indicated they'll probably stay, while inevitably some Super 14 stars will opt to accept the offers.

But with no major defections having been reported so far and so many players signalling a desire to stay, the drain of talent is likely to be far less than it has been in previous years.

Last year Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Norm Maxwell, Xavier Rush, Sam Broomhall, Dave Hewett, Sam Harding, Isaac Boss, Wayne Ormond and Riki Flutey all committed to overseas clubs before the Super 12 had finished. Andrew Mehrtens, Paul Miller, Joe Ward, Adrian Cashmore, Keith Lowen and Tom Harding also shifted later in the year.

New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew said: "There is no doubt that a number of European and Japanese clubs are very active in the market right now. It is always a nervous time of year for us as we are trying to get as many players as we can to sign up and commit.

"It certainly looks as if the new player collective agreement is making players think carefully about their future. The guaranteed retainer has taken the doubt away from selection.

"But we have worked hard to put in place the best coaches, the best training facilities and the best competitions. When that is combined with the lifestyle on offer in New Zealand and the new collective, it is a compelling package."

The proximity of the World Cup is also helping persuade a number of players to hang around. While Gibbes only had a minor involvement with the All Blacks last season, he remains in the World Cup frame. Probably both Troy Flavell and Angus MacDonald are higher up the pecking order in that versatile lock-cum-blindside role, but Gibbes knows that injuries or loss of form to either of those two could yet see him make it to France.

The clear lines of communication from the All Black coaching panel, their stated intention of building two test quality teams and the formalised programme for the Junior All Blacks have all made a number of fringe international players feel they are still valued and in contention to win test caps.

In previous years, a number of players have fallen out of the All Black squad and decided to head overseas shortly after to retain their income and dampen the disappointment of being dropped.

Now, players' incomes are not so closely aligned to selection and they also know that a rotation policy and expanded test programme could see them back in black.

"The guaranteed money is important," said New Zealand Rugby Players Association head, Rob Nichol. "But it is the level and the way that retainer formula has been applied that is important. Say a player was previously on a $140,000-$140,000 split - that is $140,000 for his Super 12 selection and $140,000 if he made the All Blacks. He will now be on something like a $180,000-$120,000 split.

"At the top level of a $220,000-$220,000 mix, these guys are now guaranteed about $320,000.

"I'm aware of a number of players who have decided to stay here and have turned down some pretty attractive options."

Nichol is also aware that there are now increasing numbers of New Zealanders currently based overseas looking to come back to resume or finish their careers.

Yet, while the signs are encouraging that New Zealand has made massive strides in its quest to retain players, both Nichol and Tew warn against complacency.

Tew said: "We have to accept that it is inevitable we will lose some players and some players in certain positions such as goalkicking fullbacks and first five-eighths and tighthead props are in demand around the world."

And, as Nichol points out, the remuneration packages in Europe are getting bigger while the showpiece Heineken Cup continues to improve in quality.

-HERALD ON SUNDAY