KEY POINTS:
The exodus of rugby players going overseas should not surprise. Since the game went professional in 1996, nearly 70 per cent of the All Blacks have decided to play overseas or been forced to quit the game because of injury.
Another 20 per cent are still playing in the Super 14 although many are waiting until the June 1 announcement of the initial All Black squad before deciding whether to take up offers to play in Europe or Japan.
That leaves only 10 per cent or about 15 of the 150 who have been picked for the All Blacks since the start of the Super rugby and Tri-Nations series, who have chosen to see out their playing days in New Zealand.
Reasons for the departures have altered from those seeking superannuation packages at the end of their careers to those looking for earlier financial security, lifestyle changes or an escape from repetitive schedules.
The motives have changed but the All Blacks and senior players are still clicking through the departure turnstiles. The lure of Europe or Japan is irresistible and cashed-up clubs there have been aggressively targeting New Zealand players and others in the southern hemisphere rugby nurseries.
All four All Black captains before Richie McCaw have taken up overseas deals - Reuben Thorne, Todd Blackadder, Anton Oliver and Taine Randell.
A third of last year's World Cup squad have retired or agreed to overseas deals while the Herald understands there are another 10 former All Blacks and the same number of Super rugby reps, ready to sign foreign contracts if All Black and NZ Maori selection does not fall their way next month.
On the evidence of the exit ratio it will only be a matter of time before backline director Daniel Carter adds his name to the list.
If Carter is going to accept a leave of absence spell at the end of the year, the pressure of finding replacement All Black first five-eighths who could run a World Cup backline in 2011, will intensify.
Nick Evans will link up with Harlequins for the next three seasons, Stephen Donald and Stephen Brett are still unproven at the top-level and others like Willie Ripia and Daniel Bowden have only just started their careers.
The NZ under-21 pair of Colin Slade and Lachie Munro are at the same point while there is some talk that the under-19's Daniel Kirkpatrick may be picked for the Hurricanes next season.
There are others like Callum Bruce and Tamati Ellison but they have not been regular picks at pivot.
A search of the records reveals the extent of the problem.
More than 20 first five-eighths of New Zealand origin, including David Hill, Willie Walker, Glen Jackson, Carlos Spencer, Cameron McIntyre, Orene Ai'i, Andrew Mehrtens, Paul Steinmetz, Tony Brown and James Arlidge, were playing for overseas clubs last year.
WORLD CUP PLAYERS GONE OR GOING
Doug Howlett
Luke McAlister
Aaron Mauger
Nick Evans
Byron Kelleher
Reuben Thorne
Keith Robinson
Chris Jack
Carl Hayman
Anton Oliver
Daniel Carter?
