New Zealand Rugby is bracing itself for the latest player drain with eight All Blacks heading abroad at the end of the season, and more could follow.<\/b><\/p>\n
38 players left Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> clubs at the end of the 2024 season, and while that number may not be matched this year, several stars will be cashing in on deals in England, France, and Japan.<\/p>\n Reality of New Zealand Rugby exodus<\/p>\n Former All Blacks<\/a> boss Sir Steve Hansen says that an exodus of talent out of New Zealand is simply a reality that NZ Rugby has to accept.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we have to understand and accept that\u2019s what could happen because it is happening,\u201d he told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, it\u2019s a reality [that players are leaving]. What are we going to do about it? We\u2019ve just got to make sure that we keep developing enough players for our own market as well.\u201d<\/p>\n New Zealand must \u2018accept the reality\u2019 of losing players as Sir Steve Hansen weighs in on latest exodus<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Hansen has a point, as there are just 190 full-time professional contracts on offer in Aotearoa, and with New Zealand Rugby paying the salaries of all those players, it\u2019s impossible for them to hold onto everyone and have to prioritise certain talents.<\/p>\n The top All Blacks are on the top of that list and command the biggest salaries with the next tier of players usually being the ones who head abroad and that is very much the case in 2026.<\/p>\n A New Zealand Herald<\/a> report detailed that Super Rugby clubs have a nominal NZ$4.5 million salary cap to contract 38 players, and the maximum they can pay any individual is NZ$195,000.<\/p>\n NZ Rugby then has a top-up budget for around 30 to 40 players, but this structure has led to \u2018massive pay inequity\u2019, according to the report, as leading All Blacks earn around NZ$1m a year, while Super Rugby players are being paid anything from NZ$130,000 to NZ$190,000. With further bonuses and top-ups, high-value franchise players can take home between NZ$180,000 and NZ$350,000.<\/p>\n However, those players can easily fetch anything from NZ$400,000 to NZ$800,000 with a move to a Japanese, French, or English club.<\/p>\n Springboks legend: Why the All Blacks should win the Greatest Rivalry series if it ends 2-2<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Blues feel the brunt of the exodus<\/p>\n The lure of a high wage abroad has hit home for New Zealand clubs this season, with the Blues feeling the brunt of the exodus. Incoming head coach Jason Holland will be without the services of club stalwart Dalton Papali\u2019i and 2024 Super Rugby Pacific MVP Hoskins Sotutu.<\/p>\n Papali\u2019i fell out of favour with the All Blacks last year and had disagreements with ex-head coach Scott Robertson, which has led to his decision to sign with French Top 14 club Castres, while Sotutu hasn\u2019t had an opportunity since 2022. That has also led to the number eight signing a deal with the Newcastle Red Bulls.<\/p>\n Furthermore, AJ Lam will join Papali\u2019i in France after agreeing to join Clermont, having also never really featured on the All Blacks radar, with rumours suggesting that Kurt Eklund and Stephen Perofeta could leave Auckland, too.<\/p>\n The lure of the All Blacks jersey and NZ Rugby\u2019s selection policy that doesn\u2019t allow the head coach to select overseas-based players means that the top players and regulars remain at New Zealand Super Rugby clubs. However, it\u2019s these kinds of talents on the fringe that slip through the cracks despite being pivotal members of their respective clubs.<\/p>\n Scott Robertson\u2019s handling of \u2018respected\u2019 All Black reeked of \u2018needlessness\u2019 and inspired French move<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Top prospects leave Hurricanes<\/p>\n What becomes problematic for NZ Rugby is when they are unable to lock in top talents on longer-term contracts before they have a breakout season, and this year, it has led to the departure of two of Super Rugby\u2019s best performers.<\/a><\/p>\n Devan Flanders has been tipped for an All Blacks call-up and possible Test debut under new head coach Dave Rennie due to his superb form for the league leaders. It\u2019s the first season that the 26-year-old has really emerged as a prospect for the Test team, though he did represent the All Blacks XV under Jamie Joseph last year.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, the Hurricanes announced that Flanders has taken up a deal with an undisclosed Japanese club, which is undoubtedly a blow to Rennie\u2019s back-row depth, particularly on the blindside. The Hurricanes stalwart\u2019s exit is offset by Shannon Frizell\u2019s return to the Highlanders next season, but the 32-year-old has only signed a one-year deal. Six years Frizell\u2019s junior and a player really starting to come into his own, Flanders is the biggest blow to Rennie\u2019s stocks despite being uncapped, particularly when one considers the struggles the All Blacks have had in the number six jumper.<\/p>\n Another exciting All Blacks prospect is also heading abroad, with Fehi Fineanganofo signing with Newcastle, making the move with Sotutu. At the time of writing, the winger is just one try short of equaling Ben Lam\u2019s and Joe Roff\u2019s shared record for the most tries in a single Super Rugby season (16). The 23-year-old is just another example of a rising star slipping through the cracks before he emerged as a real Test prospect.<\/p>\n All Blacks great\u2019s \u2018growing pains\u2019 warning over in-form playmaker as Dave Rennie left with \u2018headaches everywhere\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n More fringe All Blacks depart<\/p>\n While the Hurricanes are losing Super Rugby\u2019s hottest prospect to the Red Bull-backed PREM Rugby club, the other New Zealand clubs look set to bid farewell to key players, too.<\/p>\n Xavier Roe has been heavily linked with a move to Sale Sharks as a replacement for Raffi Quirke at the PREM Rugby club, who missed out on the services of Faf de Klerk. The 27-year-old is another who has been on the fringe of All Blacks selection but this season he has been a regular starter for Jono Gibbes\u2019 Chiefs over Cortez Ratima.<\/p>\n There is also the prospect that Samipeni Finau could be leaving the Waikato-based club with his contract expiring, while Clermont have snapped up flyer Etene Nanai-Seturo.<\/p>\n Over in Christchurch, the Crusaders are losing All Blacks Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, and possibly even captain David Havili. Reports of the Highlanders\u2019 departures have been nigh-on non-existent but Jamie Joseph did suggest that Jonah Lowe will be leaving the Dunedin side and Tanielu Telea could be too.<\/p>\n