With the recent exodus of All Blacks to cash-rich European leagues, NZ Rugby CEO Steve Tew admits that he has a fight on his hand to keep our top players on home soil.
In the past week, All Blacks Ben Smith and Nehe Milner-Skudder have added their names to the long list of those to walk away from the black jersey, while captain Kieran Read is reportedly in talks to do the same after next year's World Cup.
The situation could get worse for New Zealand Rugby too, with the likes of Beauden Barrett, Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea among those to have turned the eye of northern hemisphere clubs.
Speaking to Stuff, Tew outlined that the issue of losing a large portion of his key players, with several All Blacks contracted through until the end of 2019.
"What's troubling is the amount of money that's on offer and the pressure that's putting on our young men to put the jersey in front of the future of their families," Tew said.
"But we can't change that, and we've got to keep doing what we do, which is create the best environment for our guys to enjoy being All Blacks."
Tew also gave a list of the players that could be of interest to deep pocketed clubs sides in Europe, but hoped that the lure of being an All Black would continue to appeal to New Zealand's best.
"There's Beaudie, Brodie, Ardie, Nuggy (Aaron Smith) and Coles there among a group many of whom I know want to deepen their experience and contribution to the jersey. But they've got options and they're working their way through them.
"We've never been able to fight it dollar for dollar. But we do have tools in our box with flexibility, great competitions to play in, a great country to live in, good coaches and being an All Black."
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