KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks are in the shop window on this tour. Every European club with a chequebook is watching their every move and seeing all the things that don't come through on video.
The instant Scotland were sliced and diced at Murrayfield, agents around Europe would have started to build their intelligence. Who in this All Black side is coming off contract? Background on players will have been gathered in recent weeks and the big clubs now will be assessing their playing squads for 2009-10. If there is any chance of bagging an All Black, they will pursue it.
"I think most clubs would be interested in signing an All Black," says Dick Best, the former England coach turned agent. "There are plenty of New Zealanders across the Premiership who have been worth the money paid.
"Carl Hayman has made a big difference at Newcastle and Luke McAlister has played well at Sale."
A few haven't quite delivered, such as Aaron Mauger, but the perception remains and has indeed been enhanced by events of the past month that New Zealand is producing players who can make a difference.
The contrast could not have been greater last Saturday - England falling to a record defeat, unable to string two passes together while an hour later, the All Blacks produced their best 40 minutes of the season. There was pace, intensity and quality execution throughout the second half in Cardiff.
Those entrusted with building successful Premiership squads would have watched events in London then Cardiff and known precisely whose door they would be knocking on to fill the gaps.
With Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Mils Muliaina off contract at the end of next year, all three will be targeted in the next few months.
"I think about 90 per cent of all Premiership clubs would be interested in signing Ali Williams," says Best. "There is a shortage of quality locks in England and Williams is world class."
Williams is also only 27 and has the athleticism and ball skills to command a massive pay packet in the Northern Hemisphere.
He's had tentative talks with the New Zealand Rugby Union about extending his contract to 2011 and has made no secret of his love and desire to continue with his All Black career.
Extending his NZRU deal to the World Cup is believed to be his preferred option, although the possibility of a well-paid sabbatical is also thought to carry some appeal.
Most European clubs will be looking to make any major signings in February, March and April next year. Their preferred scenario is to tie in the most expensive players first and then work from there.
Muliaina has already attracted interest from Cardiff, a club with several Kiwis on their books and a burning ambition to become a European heavyweight.
As revealed in the Herald on Sunday last week, Muliaina is likely to make up his mind in the next six months. An overseas stint has appeal but, if he feels he can still make a contribution in the test arena, it will be hard for him to move on.
Woodcock's demolition of the Welsh scrum last week will have him on the radar of every major club. The Northern Hemisphere still has a healthy respect for quality props and is prepared to pay top dollar to get them.
The beauty of Woodcock is that not only can he scrummage, he can get around the paddock and cause damage elsewhere.
He has also held talks with the NZRU about a contract extension. He is a player the All Blacks don't want to lose. He's also a bit like Williams in that he is young enough, at 27, to delay a European adventure until after 2011.
Whatever they are thinking now, their resilience will be tested in the next few months when offers come in.
It is often the way that players are thinking about staying in New Zealand and then they are presented with an opportunity to go to a club they knew little about for a price they never dreamed they were worth.
That's the joy of being an All Black and being part of a side that is internationally admired and respected, especially when they come to the UK and show just how good they are.
