The newest rumour out of the all-black camp is that along with Nick Evans, Dan Carter could also be taking up a contract in Europe.
Auckland Blues first-five Nick Evans is almost certain to be playing his rugby in England or Japan at the end of the year, and not playing for the All Blacks in their end of year grand-slam tour.
Losing Luke McAlister after the World Cup was bad enough, but if Carter and Evans leave, that's New Zealands top three first-fives gone. We could see someone like Waikato's Steven Donald in the AB's number 10 jersey.
No disrespect to Donald who is a sound footballer and can run a back line, but he is nowhere near players like Carter, Evans and McAlister.
It is yet to be confirmed, but Carter could be leaving at the end of this season's Super-14. The 26-year-old Cantabrian was seen as the future of All Black rugby and the team was going to be based around him, at least till the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Losing Carter would be a big blow for not only the All Blacks, but to every rugby fan in New Zealand. Competitions like the Air New Zealand Cup and Super 14 are already struggling to get fans to the games, and losing someone like Carter wont help the cause.
New Zealand already lost world-class players like McAlister, Carl Hayman and Doug Howlett this year and there could still be more to follow.
New Zealand rugby is in trouble and something needs to be done. There isn't the money to offer, but there is the pride of the black jersey. To some, that's just not enough.
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