New Zealand Rugby will need to write out million‑dollar‑a‑year cheques to keep Ben Smith, Aaron Cruden and Israel Dagg in New Zealand.
The trio’s futures beyond 2017 could be decided within the next week.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is already conditioning fans to expect to lose at least one of the three to rich European clubs willing to pay as much as $1.2 million a year for their services.
Hansen also told Radio Sport that wives were having a big influence on the final decision‑making.
Smith is being linked to Irish club Munster on a monster 800,000‑a‑season deal.
Cruden is commanding similar sized per‑season offers, with French Top 14 club Montpellier leading the way.
According to French media, the revitalized Dagg is being pursued by Top 14 clubs Toulon and Midi Olympique. The rumour mill is that he had a face‑to‑face meeting with Toulon during the All Blacks' recent northern tour and the club has a $1.1 million offer on the table.
