KEY POINTS:
A few years back New Zealand players headed overseas for two reasons; they were either on their last legs and going to collect a handsome pension or bitter about missing Super rugby selection.
Now the picture is convoluted. Aaron Mauger is going at just 26 and in his prime. Nick Evans, at 25 with a huge amount of rugby in him, is likely to go, too.
And, possibly, at the tender age of 23 Luke McAlister might depart after the World Cup.
No question they are being offered major financial packages to play in Europe. But with the players' collective agreement providing guaranteed retainers and improved terms they can also earn serious cash in New Zealand.
Money is not necessarily driving these guys overseas. What we are seeing is a change in mind-set driven by the realisation it is possible to become an established All Black, take a two- or three-year sabbatical and then resume All Black duty.
Leon MacDonald and Troy Flavell have proven it is possible to take an overseas interlude in your prime then slot back in.
They broke the pattern and got their colleagues thinking. Mauger has been playing with the Crusaders since he was 19 and was an All Black at 20. Married with a young child, it makes sense for Mauger to go to Leicester before he has to worry about schools. He can come back to play in the 2010 NPC, win a Super 14 contract in 2011 and be in the frame to push into the All Black World Cup squad in 2011. He'll still only be 30.
Evans can go down pretty much the same route in France, except he'll be only 29 in 2011.
What this new trend flags up is that players are building their careers around World Cups and they have faith that New Zealand will not slam the door on them.
Mauger has played in one World Cup and will, barring injury be involved this year. He could hang around in New Zealand after the 2007 World Cup in the hope he can make it through to 2011.
His window of overseas opportunity is now. It also might be that the time in Leicester makes him a better player. The change should refresh him mentally and by 2010 he might be hungry to resume business.
Again, the same applies for Evans who will almost certainly develop a new range of skills.
Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith went to the UK where they became better, more rounded coaches.
There might be uneasiness seeing young men leave these shores but there is much to be said about using European clubs as an All Black finishing school.
