KEY POINTS:
At times, it seems like we have heard nothing else but developing depth over the last two or three years.
We have mostly answered this by falling back on the hardy old annual that New Zealand somehow produces legions of new talent each and every year and that
such talent will magically fill the boots of their departed comrades.
Some call it arrogance; some call it fact. But you wonder whether it will hold true in 2008.
With the announcement this week that Waikato's Steven Bates and Roy Kinikinilau are off to Japan, the numbers of All Blacks/senior Super 14 players heading overseas has hit 30. The real number of New Zealand rugby 'expats' is far higher, of course, but we are focusing on those who will not be fronting up when the next Super 14 season begins early next year and when the first All Black team is chosen by whomsoever forms the All Black coaching and selection panel.
Those people, whoever they are, will still have the services of most of the players of the team generally reckoned - for the fourth World Cup running - to be the most talented team in the world but who have still not brought home that Cup thingy.
But, with the Air NZ Cup not satisfying many in terms of the quality of rugby played and with worries about the ability of some provincial players to make the next step up, there must be questions raised about New Zealand's ability to win back the Super 14 title and to replace the European-based All Blacks after losing two whole teams of experienced, battle-hardened troops.
There is no doubt that Graham Henry and co successfully built depth during their build-up to the 2007 World Cup.
There is also no doubt that some named as All Blacks were part of the experimentation phase and gained their colours during a time, hopefully now consigned to history, when test matches were trials.
That is part of the reason why, of the 30 departing 'expats', 18 are All Blacks. Some, and perhaps even many, have figured that their ongoing black jersey chances are limited at best so have opted for their OE and the big money of Europe.
However, if anyone is in any doubt about the quality of the departing players, take a look at our selected 'Expat XV' and reserves - they'd give the current All Blacks team a decent game.
Top-line All Blacks such as Carl Hayman, Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister are all well-documented cases of players who are hoping to do the OE, the lifestyle and the money-gathering thing and then return in time for the 2011 Cup - a clear case of players responding to what is a now well-established case of international rugby only being meaningful in the latter part of a four-year cycle.
In the end, in All Black terms, there may be only two positions that look a little under-populated with experience - prop and second five-eighths, the worst affected.
At prop, with the loss of Hayman, Clarke Dermody and Saimone Taumoepeau overseas, loosehead Tony Woodcock will need a new partner. Neemia Tialata and Greg Somerville are the obvious choices although the former has not always convinced and the latter is obviously nearer the end rather than the beginning of his career.
However, it is likely that replacements could come from the more experienced likes of Auckland's John Afoa or Wellington's John Schwalger, with younger players like Canterbury's Wyatt Crockett and possibly Southland's Jamie Mackintosh - beginning to put mobility and presence together with his undoubted bulk - coming more into view.
However, the choices are not quite so obvious at second-five, denuded as it is by the loss of Mauger, McAlister, Sam Tuitupou and Rua Tipoki. Ma'a Nonu is still around after a league approach but the faults that led to him being left at home this time may still weigh against him.
Isaia Toeava is a possibility there and many like the look of Wellington's clever distributor Tamati Ellison. Some think Waikato's Stephen Donald would make a better 12 than 10 and there is undoubted promise in Canterbury's Tim Bateman and Auckland's tough-tackling Benson Stanley. Or it may be someone we have all never heard of.
At least centre isn't a problem. It doesn't matter who we select there, he'll be changed at the last minute for the World Cup.
Super (14) exodus
(* = All Black)
Blues
*Sam Tuitupou: Worcester, England
*Saimone Taumoepeau: Toulon, Fr
*Angus MacDonald: Toyota, Japan
*Doug Howlett: Munster, Wales
*Luke McAlister: Sale, England
*Greg Rawlinson: Worcester, Eng
Chiefs
*Byron Kelleher: Toulouse, France
*Marty Holah: Ospreys, Wales
Steven Bates: Japan
Roy Kinikinilau: Japan
Hurricanes
Luke Andrews: Japan
Lome Fa'atau: Glasgow, Scotland
Nili Latu: NEC Green Rockets, Japan
*Brad Mika: Brive, France
Mahonri Schwalger
Paul Tito: Cardiff, Wales
*Tana Umaga: Toulon, France
Crusaders
*Rico Gear: Worcester, England
*Chris Jack: Saracens, England
Johnny Leo'o: Paris Racing Metro, Fr
*Aaron Mauger: Leicester, England
Tusi Pisi: Toulon, France
*Kevin Senio: Castres, France
Rua Tipoki: Munster, Wales
Brent Ward: Paris Racing Metro, Fr
Highlanders
Josh Blackie: Kobe Steel, Japan
*Clarke Dermody: London Irish, Eng
*Carl Hayman: Newcastle, England
*Anton Oliver: Toulon, France
Hale T-Pole: Unattached
