KEY POINTS:
The Au Revoir All Blacks added Byron Kelleher to their list yesterday, with the halfback reportedly signed to play for Agen and further deals in France set to include Anton Oliver and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
French clubs have been targeting All Blacks off contract after the World Cup and
are still pursuing signatures from Luke McAlister, Ali Williams, Doug Howlett and a No 8 like Mose Tuiali'i, Sione Lauaki or Steven Bates.
The All Black hunt has gone to another level since midfielder Aaron Mauger revealed he had signed for Leicester and Saracens signalled their link to All Black lock Chris Jack.
The Herald understands prop Clarke Dermody has picked up a deal in Europe and the Newcastle club has tested Carl Hayman's thoughts about playing offshore when his NZRU contract expires at the end of this year.
The French have been the most aggressive. Wooed by the success of Tana Umaga's deal last year at Toulon, other clubs have targeted an array of All Blacks as key attractions to underpin a new deal to televise the national club championship.
According to the AFP news agency yesterday, Kelleher has signed a two-year deal to link up with Agen after the World Cup. The same club has approached Sivivatu, while Oliver has an open arrangement to join a top French organisation.
None of the players were available for comment yesterday. However Kelleher went close to confirming his deal after playing a trial game this week when he said he was sifting through a variety of options.
Agen wanted to buy an international No 8, halfback and five-eighths axis for their senior side. An attempt to sign Carlos Spencer from Northampton failed and they were then said to be close to signing Highlanders pivot Nick Evans, a situation he strongly denied.
"I'm in no position to even look at going overseas yet. I'm still contracted to New Zealand until the end of 2008, so for me to be looking overseas now would be pretty stupid," Evans said.
The Toulouse club are still chasing McAlister, who also comes off his NZRU contract after the World Cup.
Perpignan, Agen and Munster have all made offers to Howlett - which he has refused - and Williams is also understood to have fended off an array of overseas deals.
Inquiries to the NZRU about the length of players' contracts were met with the response that details were confidential unless players agreed to their publication.
All Black loosehead prop Tony Woodcock recently signed until the end of 2009 and others in the World Cup reconditioning group who have deals beyond the World Cup are Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore.
It is understood the remainder of that squad need to renew their contracts this season or have stitched up overseas deals.