KEY POINTS:
The plunging dollar has brought relief for exporters but potential misery for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Aware that exchange rates have widened the pay gap, European clubs are ready to mount another aggressive recruitment drive in New Zealand.
Less than six months ago a ¬350,000 a year contract was worth $630,000 while a £350,000 a year deal was worth $840,000.
Now the same deal in Euros would be worth $750,000 while if it was paid in pounds it would be worth $940,000.
The value of offshore contracts is expected to continue growing as New Zealand's dollar is predicted to drop further over the next few months.
That scenario looks perfect for European hunters as preliminary discussions about buying players tend to start in October and November with a view to setting the final seal on the deals in February/March.
By all accounts it is the usual suspects who are on the prowl. Munster are looking for more Kiwis having derived such good value from their current crop - Rua Tipoki, Lefeimi Mafi and Doug Howlett.
Tipoki is in his final season and the Irish club, who are the Heineken Cup holders, would like to find a replacement in New Zealand.
Ma'a Nonu is off contract this year, as is Conrad Smith. The latter has made it clear he's not interested in chasing money around the world and Nonu appears now to have taken ownership of the All Black No 12 shirt and it would take a spectacular offer to lure him offshore.
English giant Leicester are frantically looking for a winger. They have tried, unsuccessfully so far, to bring former Blues player Rupeni Caucaunibuca to the club on trial.
Caucaunibuca last played for Agen in the French Top 14 but despite becoming a local favourite, his fitness and form fluctuated and he was also suspended for smoking cannabis.
New Leicester coach Heyneke Meyer said of Caucaunibuca: "He's definitely an option. We are very, very thin on wingers and we are looking for someone special."
That search is bound to bring the Tigers to New Zealand and Joe Rokocoko is off contract at the end of this year and undecided about his future. The Tigers try to move the ball but Rokocoko might not see the attrition of the Guinness Premiership as the right place for him.
Scott Hamilton, while not necessarily in that "someone special" category, is off contract at the end of the year and assessing his options.
The struggling Newcastle club are expected to be scouring the market after selling England stars Matthew Tait and Toby Flood earlier this year. The Falcons were happy to shift the two men who played in the World Cup final because they felt both would be unavailable for between eight to 12 matches a season because of international commitments.
In announcing Newcastle's decision to sell, chairman Dave Thompson said it made better sense for the club to pursue Super 14 players who would be available for the whole league campaign rather than develop local talent.
Results at the club continue to underwhelm and the support base is dwindling but the Falcons do have money to burn and Jonny Wilkinson and Carl Hayman to help attract new players.
French and Welsh clubs are also expected to start trying to exploit the reduced value of the New Zealand currency. Again, those clubs who have established a track record of recruiting in New Zealand will be reaching for their chequebooks.
The Ospreys and Toulon have been the most aggressive recruiters in the past 12 months, between them buying Jerry Collins, Tom Willis, Ben Castle, Anton Oliver, Saimone Taumoepeau, Tusi Pisi, Marty Holah and Jamie Nutbrown.
The arrival of former Waratahs supremo Ewen McKenzie as coach of Stade Francais has increased the likelihood that the Parisian club will now more closely monitor the New Zealand market.
Toulouse are keen to find a high quality replacement for former French captain Fabien Pelous. The giant lock is almost 35 and won't be around for much longer.
This renewed onslaught will put the pressure on the NZRU to fast-track talks with a host of senior All Blacks who are off contract at the end of next year.
Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Mils Muliaina, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu are all in talks to commit through to the World Cup.
