KEY POINTS:
Looking at the 25-man wider training group named by the All Blacks last week, it's doubtful Australia and South Africa will be quaking.
Obviously the inclusion of a world class Crusaders contingent - Ali Williams, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Leon MacDonald - will make a difference. So
too will the probable arrival of Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville and Andy Ellis.
But the unavoidable truth is that whatever the final make-up of the 26-man squad named this morning, it looks vulnerable.
Injuries to Williams and Carter would really put the pressure on the All Blacks. The depth coach Graham Henry tried so hard to build in 2005 and 2006 has been wiped out by the weight of overseas defections.
When you look at the players who have confirmed they are leaving and the ones giving it serious consideration, you have a squad able to give the All Black wider training group a decent run for their money.
Not sure? Well, see for yourself. We have picked a starting XV of players who are leaving or who could be leaving and match them against a XV selected from the wider training group.
The asterisk denotes a player who has not committed to going overseas but who is likely to do so.
The departing:
15: Isa Nacewa (Leinster)
Okay, he's not All Black-eligible but he's leaving and therefore eligible for this team which comprises 2008 contracted Super 14 players who won't be here in 2009.
An astute counter-attacker, strong on defence and capable of goal-kicking, Nacewa has been one of the most consistent players in New Zealand for the last four years.
14. Hosea Gear*
The Hurricanes wing has enjoyed his best season as a professional. But he is understood to be miffed at Wellington's signing of David Smith and is now considering his options.
As he showed against the Blues, he can be a deadly runner from broken play - strong, fast and elusive.
13: Caleb Ralph (Sannix)
His best days are gone. But Ralph, in his prime was a supremely efficient player who defended well, chased everything and made few mistakes.
12: Jimmy Gopperth*
The Hurricanes first five has been in and out of the side for the past two years. When he burst on to the scene in 2004 he threatened to be something special. It hasn't worked out that way, but on his day he offered enough to be the kind of bloke you would want in a Super 14 squad somewhere.
11: Shannon Paku (Montauban)
Was never the fastest or most explosive winger in Super 14. But, a bit like Ralph, he did a lot of good things. He was one of those players who created opportunities for others, made a lot of good decisions and could kick well out of hand.
10: Nick Evans (Harlequins)
Didn't enjoy his best season but most observers would still rate him a better player than Stephen Donald and Stephen Brett - the other options at first five. Is in possession of a huge kicking game, has experience and his pace off the mark is probably better than any wing in the country. Funny how Harlequins think he's worth £400,000-plus a season and in New Zealand he can't make the national squad.
9: Piri Weepu*
In 2005 a head knock to Byron Kelleher forced Weepu into the All Black No 9 jersey. Any fears about his readiness quickly evaporated. His form hasn't pushed on but he remains a decent player. He has a good left boot, makes some good tactical kicks, is strong round the fringes and has a huge pass off his left hand.
It is not as if New Zealand is swimming in quality halfbacks and can discard players like Weepu.
8: Jerry Collins (undecided)
Anyone who has watched rugby in this country during the last four years knows exactly what Collins brings. Anyone who doesn't should ask Welsh flanker Colin Charvis.
7: Chris Masoe*
The 29-year-old has an escape clause that looks likely to be invoked. In his prime, he was an explosive ball-carrying loose forward who scrapped well for the ball on the ground.
6: Craig Newby (Leicester)
Experienced, versatile and committed. New Zealand's love of bigger, physical loose forwards often meant the talents of Newby were ignored.
But Leicester have been one of the most successful clubs in Europe and don't make poor signings.
5: Troy Flavell (Mitsubishi Dynoboars)
Rugged, athletic and brave. Flavell was the victim of a heavy workload last season but he's exactly the sort of bloke international sides need in the mix. Test football is brutal and you need hard nuts like Flavell who don't mind what or who they stand on.
4: Hoani MacDonald (Gwent Dragons)
The versatile Southlander has impressed for several seasons without getting the call-up. He's athletic enough to play in the backrow and he showed this year how deadly he can be when he's given the ball in a bit of space.
3: Greg Somerville*
He's on loan from the likely All Black squad on account that he is almost certainly going to leave New Zealand this year. Clermont are chasing him as are two English clubs. He's been in great form this season and shown an aggressive edge in his scrummaging that was not there in 2006.
2: Tom Willis (Gwent Dragons)
A good leader and a good player, Willis will be missed by the Chiefs. Injury prevented him fulfilling his potential but he was always at the bottom of rucks and his darts arm seemed to be as good as anyone else's.
1: Nick White*
Probably more likely to retire than head overseas but qualifies on account of the fact he's unlikely to be around in 2009 and this side needs another good prop.
WIDER TRAINING XV:
15: Mils Muliaina (Chiefs)
Hasn't been in great form but a class player with a lot of experience and still regarded, rightly, as one of the best fullbacks in the world.
14: Rudi Wulf (Blues)
Strong, quick and dependable. The 22-year-old lacks the searing pace of Bryan Habana and Joe Rokocoko but he does offer defensive solidity, good decision making and a clinical approach to finishing.
13: Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)
A good distributor who defends well but Smith has struggled to reproduce the form he showed in 2004 and 2005. He's safe without much of an X-Factor.
12: Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes)
Seems to have finally cut out many of the inaccuracies that have blighted his game. No better linebreaker in world rugby.
11: Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs)
Can be brilliant and awful all in the space of five minutes. His tackling appears to have regressed but he's in the side to produce a bit of magic with ball in hand.
10: Stephen Donald (Chiefs)
Blew hot and cold all year. Was very good against the Crusaders where he showed poise and tactical awareness. Can be loose, though and his goal-kicking is erratic. Better than Evans... hmm.
9: Brendon Leonard (Chiefs)
Hasn't developed as much as the selectors would like in terms of dominating the tactical flow of the game a la Justin Marshall. A compelling runner and a tremendous offensive threat under the new rules.
8: Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes)
One of the fittest players in world rugby. Gets everywhere, makes some big tackles, is good at the breakdown but hands still a bit iffy.
7: Daniel Braid (Blues)
New Zealand's player of the year is a a great link man and leads the defensive line well. Needs to prove he's big enough and ugly enough to thrive at this level.
6: Adam Thomson (Highlanders)
Pretty easy player to like - tall, solid, rangy and a bit nasty. Can also run with the ball and has a nice range of skills. Maybe the find of the season.
5: Anthony Boric (Blues)
Tall, athletic and gets around well. But is he ready to be a test lock? Is he tough enough? And can he impose himself?
4: Tom Donnelly (Highlanders)
Similar to Boric. Seems to be well equipped and has an edge to him. But playing the tough guy is one thing. Doing it at test level is another.
3: John Afoa (Blues)
Has worked hard on his scrummaging to become more technically astute. Will hold his own now and his mobility has never been in question.
2: Keven Mealamu (Blues)
Has not had his best season although was getting back to his best in the final Super 14 rounds. A tough ball carrier and under-rated scrummager.
1: Tony Woodcock (Blues)
Laughably called a myth by former Wallaby prop Andrew Blades. It took all of 40 minutes against the Brumbies to prove he is no such thing.