Sifting talent. It is the primary task of any coach in any code and around the All Blacks it is even more crucial as those players at the top level become greater targets and more vulnerable to the soothing offers from voices north of the equator.

Clubs stretching from Japan back through to Italy, France and into the UK are all after the strong talented rugby beef which has been processed downunder.

There are any number of reasons why players head north - the chance to escape the cloying inspection in New Zealand, less travel, altered experiences, money, new friends, mental fatigue, ambition, different competitions.

Some of the All Blacks in the current touring squad, such as Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu, have signed on for longer terms but there will be others sitting in the 35-strong squad pondering their next move, wondering if they and their game will push on consistently enough for Rugby World Cup selection in 2011.

That tournament is less than three years away but that is an enormously long time in any sport and especially in the attritional battleground of international rugby.

Just consider who was in the All Blacks three years ago on their Grand Slam tour to Europe and who does not figure in this year's squad.

Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Nick Evans, Rico Gear, Tana Umaga, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Byron Kelleher, Mose Tuiali'i, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Angus Macdonald, Chris Jack, James Ryan, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Saimone Taumoepeau have all gone from the original squad selection and Greg Somerville would also be gone, if not for the sudden need to cover injuries this weekend.

It is a swag of talent, a heap of rugby investment and an indication of the turnover in players at the elite level. The reasons are varied: Age, loss of form, injury, opportunities abroad - it does not matter.

They have gone, though some could return. Ever since the dirty "rotation" word oozed out of the never-to-be-used-again All Black lexicon, the selectors have been trying to balance excellence and immediacy with planning and foresight.

That Grand Slam touring success three years ago meant a dozen tests for the All Blacks around their Super rugby and provincial obligations. This year the itinerary has been stretched to 15 tests and a game against Munster to salute that club's famous victory over the All Blacks 30 years ago.

Finding backup players has been the catch-cry of the present All Black coaching regime and one they were able to implement enough against some inferior rivals, to retain some of those players wavering about signing their departure cards.