KEY POINTS:
In the early days of professional rugby both Japan and England were happy to offer over-the-hill All Blacks lucrative retirement packages.
It didn't matter if the former Mr Big had a crocked knee or heaving lungs - if he had been a name and he was still capable of standing upright for 80 minutes the Poms would pay him a king's ransom in the hope it would put bums on seats.
It was a straightforward career path back then for New Zealand's players. They played here for as long as they could and then, once they suspected they were past it, they headed offshore where they could play out their remaining days without breaking into much of a sweat.
But in the last few years the dynamics of the global market have changed dramatically.
European clubs have realised there is limited value in spending big on end-of-career superstars. They want current All Blacks, men who can make a difference. If they can't get All Blacks, they will settle for Wallabies and Springboks.
And now they are eminently capable of getting them.
European rugby is starting to harness the corporate power at its disposal. The French clubs have just signed a major new broadcast agreement. Money is also pouring in from individuals who want to own clubs.
These are still largely vanity purchases, made in the belief that now, for the first time, there is potential to make money from rugby.
In England the crowds continue to rise and big Heineken Cup clashes can fill the biggest stadiums.
The quality of the football has improved out of sight in recent years.
The Six Nations is not a true barometer of the health of club football in Europe.
The clubs have access to players from around the world and the likes of Leicester, Munster, Biarritz, Wasps and Stade Francais would be a match for anything in the Super 14.
The rugby is not only good, it is varied in terms of style. The likes of Wasps and Sale play fast and wide, Gloucester are a set-piece side as are Munster and the French clubs can mix it up according to their mood.
Compare that with the Super 14 where everyone plays on top of the ground and even the South Africans are trying to build continuity and go from touchline to touchline.
The travel burden in Europe for the players is minimal and no team has to spend weeks on the road.
Then there is the money.
The NZRU has acknowledged that the money on offer in Europe has taken a quantum leap in the last 12 months.
Back in the days when Europe wasn't an option for any New Zealanders who were serious about advancing their careers, players went for one reason - money.
Now it feels like we have gone 180 degrees and that the Super 14 is fast becoming a feeder tournament to the European leagues.
Typically, those players good enough to earn test honours break into Super 14 sides in their late teens or early 20s. A pattern seems to be emerging where those players have one serious crack at playing in a World Cup and are happy to stay in New Zealand until their mid-20s.
By then they have enough experience and pedigree to name their price in Europe and play out their best years in foreign markets.
They do so knowing that, unlike in the past, they can become better players through exposure to European football.
And, because it is now accepted that Europe is not a career graveyard, the best players in New Zealand can head off in their prime knowing also that they can come back and not be penalised when it comes to test selection.
It seems that if the Sanzar nations want to compete and restore the prestige of their show-piece competition they need to come up with some serious innovations at the next broadcast renegotiation.
