Since the announcement of Luke McAllister's decision to play overseas next season (after the RWC squad was named) alarm bells should be ringing in the offices of the NZRU.  It is fair to question the impact of players such as Luke McAllister, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger and the likes, leaving for the lure of big $$$$$ at the prime of the rugby careers.  What effect will this have on NZ rugby in the next 2 years and so on? Losing players of such talent is one thing but the danger signs for me, is the devaluing of the All Black Jersey.

As I gaze into the crystal ball (All Blacks victorious in October by the way) I see some dangerous signs for the future value of the All Black Jersey post 2007. The last six odd months the New Zealand public has continued to hear reports of another All Black in his prime signing a two year deal to play overseas for mega bucks.  We all generally have the same opinion which is "two years, its OK because he'll be back for the next world cup, no worries", or "he's not turning his back on New Zealand rugby because he'll be back for the WC".

As this continued throughout the year I started to see a trend to which players were negotiating 2 year contracts so that they could slip back into New Zealand rugby pre Twenty11.  This would enable them time to play, hopefully get picked for the next world cup and so on.  As this continues we must evaluate where the current value of the All Black jersey is.

It is a scary thought as all of us grew up either dreaming of playing for the All Blacks or revering the famous jersey.  It should be at the top of your list as a New Zealand Sportsman.  As far as I'm concerned now it is obvious that an All Black Test Jersey in 2007 and Twenty11 has a lot more value than a Test Jersey in 2008, 2009 and possibly 2010.  World Cup test jerseys will be what players will strive for, and not so much years in between and we supporters will have to live with it and get excited when the likes of Haymen comes off contract.

What has happened recently with the All Black leaving had demonstrated that players in the future will be dictated by the pull of the $$$ and not of the jersey.  This has to a small extent happened in the past with retiring All Blacks veterans taking overseas contracts after playing 40-60 odd tests.  Also with what's fair to say, 'fringe All Blacks' that have left to play overseas as they felt on the outer of selection for the elusive All Black regular test jersey.  Now All Blacks are leaving with plenty left in the tank and in Luke's case, a player that hasn't fully developed.

We hear that Super 14 Rugby is the best competition in the world with the best players.  I now struggle with this if guys are taking the $$$$ ahead of the opportunity to play in the 'so called' best competition and then the opportunity to play for their country.  This is especially the case if they are a shoe in for their respective position.  What is the value of the test jersey in 2008 for a prop if Carl Hayman is due back to take it off them in 2010?  It seems to me some guys will become caretakers of jerseys till RWC years when our best players come off their 2 year deals.  If that's not devaluing the Jersey I don't know what is.

Another thing that really bugs me is that players announcing that they are leaving after the world cup 3-4  months before the WC has even started.  What's more they state it's only for a couple of years then they will be back for another RWC in the future.

This is not just in New Zealand but South Africa as well and soon to be Australia if the Northern Hemisphere clubs can get their hands on Gateau and Mortlock.

The NZRU is going to have to start to make some tough decisions regarding players wearing the All Black Jersey and at what year.  Do they pay more for RWC years or more during the RWC 'off season' tests to retain players.  What kind of money do you throw at McCaw and Carter to keep them in a jersey?   How much is the All Black jersey worth to those types of 'franchise' players?  It looks like it will become the norm to see sub par test matches with our best players turning out in the Heineken cup 'till they are due back to play for the RWC.  At the rate we are going the NZRU is powerless to stop the drain and the famous All Black jersey will continue to be sacrificed as bargaining chip for agents to up the $$$ for their players.