The All Blacks of 2008 are going to be a very different version from the 2007 RWC squad aren't they?  With genuine test calibre All Blacks signing overseas faster than the speed of light, it might now be a good time to see what we could end up with next season as a top starting XV.

For the sake of argument, I'll not only select the players that we know are gone, but also the ones that are currently making noise about leaving and I think will go.

Then of course you have the stayers, who for various reasons have not gone, be it pride in black, thinking how much money can you spend in a lifetime, don't want to drag a family offshore, or aren't wanted!

Anywho, onto a test team, post 2007 RWC

All Blacks v2008.

15:  Mils Muliaina.
We have heard no rumours about Mils sodding off at this stage, so lets assume he'll still be plying his trade in Chiefs territory, and by now would be approaching 70 odd test matches.  Leon MacDonald might still be sniffing around here too, and the likes of Ben Atiga and even the Hurricanes Corey Jane might be sniffing around the black shirt.  Not to mention the youngsters that at this stage we have not even heard of.

14:  Doug Howlett.
If the veteran winger is still around, he'll still be starting - just like he will be in the 2007 RWC.  Others vying for his spot will be Sivivatu, his Chiefs team mate Lelia Masaga, and the host of fast young fellas that will be coming on board the Super 14 sides next season.

13:  Isia Toeava. 
The youngster will be a superstar by now, barring the curse I just put on him by saying he'll be a superstar by 2008.  I expect he'll be a superstar come the end of the 2007 RWC, much like rookies Michel Jones and Josh Krnofeld were after their first RWCs.  However, lets hope he goes the same way as his nickname namesake Jones (the original Iceman), and comes out of the 2007 season with one of those rarest of trophies, a winners medal for the Webb Ellis Trophy.  COnrad Smith will still be in the mix, and Waikato's Richard Kahui will also be wearing black in 2008, keeping the pressure on Toeava nd Smith, and perhaps even moving Toeava to his favoured position of 12.

12:  Luke McAlister.
Despite being linked to more clubs than Tiger Woods uses in a season, (mostly by his Dad no doubt), Luke will stay in black for the 2008 season (probably).  He'll by this stage be forming a superstar midfield pairing with Toeava.  It'll be Aaron who by the time the 2008 Tri Nations bore is over.  Not much depth after lucky Luke though showing their wares during the 2007 Super season, so could be a bit of a worry.  Slammin Sammy Tuitupou could have been an option, but has sodded off.  Ma'a Nonu as a 12 could be an option if he is still in New Zealand, and a big basher with no defence is what you are looking for.  Toeava also an option here if Kahui is wanted at 12.  If McAlister goes offshore, than I think Toeava and Kahui will be the centre pairing.

11:  Joe Rokocoko:
Will still be scorching the touchline scoring tries at will.  That is if Nucifora sods off from the Blues outfit and the new coach decides to play his All Blacks...  No doubt there will be plenty of new young fast bastards around too challenging for black jerseys.

10:  Dan Carter.
Carter will have about a billion All Black points by 2008, and will still be getting better and better.  Scary.  Back up for the great one?  Evans will probably continue to threaten, especially if he can get some consistent game time and not keep getting injured, and McAlister too if he is not eating Frogs legs and keeping his Daddy in the manner he wants to become accustomed to.

9:  Piri Weepu.
SO long as the trainers can keep this lad from becoming the lard arse that he does become, Piri should have this All Black spot for the duration.  Unless he carries on being a first five, where he has been pretty handy this season!  Andy Ellis and Brendan Leonard will be keeping him honest though.  I like the look of Leonard, sharp pass, good acceleration when taking a gap, and like a terrier when in support of the ball carrier.  Jimmy Cowan, Toby Morland,

8:  Rodney So'oialo.
Will be becoming a Buck like figure by now, will have 50 + tests, and will no longer be slagged off by all 'n' sundry.  SIone Lauaki, if he can remain injury fre might be challenging for a starting spot, and if Tuiali'i can start having his top form more consistantly, than he'll still be in the mix for sure.

7:  Richard McCaw.
Or perhaps, he might by now be getting moved to the 6 or 8 jersey, especially if there has been injury to either Collins of Rodders.  If Richie sticks in NZ for the duration, he will finish his career with a jersey other than the 7 on his back.  If he is gone from the openside slot, Tanerau Latimer, or perhaps even Liam Messam must be leading the race for the jersey here. 

6:  Jerry Collins. 
Jerry by the 2008 season will rated up there with the best sixes to wear an All Black jersey.  From my memory, which only goes back to the 1980s, he is already in the exalted company of Mark Shaw, Alan Whetton, and Michael Jones.  Hot on his heals, depending on where Messam decides his future lies, it could be him, along with the find of the Crusaders season, Kieran Reid.

5:  Ali Williams.
Will also be going he way of a great, so long as he keeps reducing his brain explosions, and keeps improving each season as he has done since his coming of age against the 2005 Lions.  There are a fleet of other good locks out there too at the moment, led by All Black Jason Eaton.  The souther pairing of Tom Donnelly, Hoani MacDonald would not disgrace a black jersey either.

4:  James Ryan.
Will be the hungriest, meanest bastard lock around in 2008, especially if Keith Robinson has hung up his boots.  Why so mean and hungry - because injury ruined his 2007 season, and he'll be ready for anything, bigger, stronger, meaner, and a ginga to boot, I can't wait!  Oh, and lets not forget the current blues captain, Troy Flavell, as either a lock or a flanker...

3:  Greg Somerville.
Yoda will be back on deck and with his experience, he'll be number one, but followed closely by the mad strangler, Neemia Tialata.  Also watch for Wapato's big tighthead Nathan White to be getting blooded in black.  If Afoa can continue to improve, he may still be in the picture, and Campbell Johnstone, if he can continue to improve his general field play, may also be in with a look.

2:  Kevin Mealamu.
Will be getting chased by the usual suspects, Hore, Flynn and Willis, who is at last starting to look like a top class player again.

1:  Tony Woodcock.
Already touted by some as the best prop in the world - including his current propping partner Hayman, he will own that mantle by 2008.  Clarke Dermody will still be in the picture here, as honest a toiler as the day is long, but a stop gap at best.  Perhaps the new Conan, Waikato's Aled de Melmanch might be looked at here, he's looking better and better as the 2007 season progresses.  Wyatt Crockett is another quality prop who will still be in the picture.

All up, not too sad a looking team.  Will no doubt miss Mauger and Hayman, but neither irreplaceable, as no player is, just some more difficult than others!  Chris Jack will not be missed so much, a player who has never really reached his full potential - could have been a genuine great, but will go down in history as just a 'bloody good'.  Will still rate this team to kick arse come the Tri Nations, but it will make it much more intersting.