Rugby: Dough is teasing ABs

Toulon are reportedly interested in Ma'a Nonu. Photo / Getty Images

With veterans’ contracts running out, French clubs are already sniffing around, writes Gregor Paul.

The amount of money in French rugby is mind boggling. Apparently the entry point to begin talks about signing Daniel Carter is $1.6 million - and there has been plenty of interest.

Ma'a Nonu is another who, if the scuttlebutt is to be believed, could become seriously rich after the World Cup by heading offshore.

Carter and Nonu are the two prize assets supposedly being touted around Europe at the moment. They are both off contract at the end of next year and, in all probability, unlikely to stay in New Zealand.

They have both looked at playing offshore in the past. They have been tempted but their desire to play test rugby has always won out.

This time, it will most likely be different. They are both approaching 33. There are young, hungry men coming up behind them in the All Blacks and they know they have only one big contract left.

Carter, who will be named this week in the end-of-year tour squad but must prove his fitness, has made it clear he wants, finally, to be fully fit at a World Cup. He'd love another winner's medal - one he puts round his neck while wearing a No10 jersey, not one he has to accept in his No1s and on crutches like he did in 2011.

He hasn't spelled it out, but the assumption is he wants England next year to be his sign-off. He'll have nothing left to achieve in the international game if he ticks that last box and, by then, it will feel the time is right for him to move on.

It's much the same with Nonu. He's earned the right to grab as much loot as he can before that well-battered body of his finally gives up.

And by the sounds of it, they are going to be offered plenty of loot. Carter's agents, as they supposedly did in 2011, have slapped a minimum 1m price tag on the star first-five. That's a season.

The same two clubs who tussled for him last time - Racing Metro and Toulon - are again thought to be the front-runners. Carter seriously contemplated signing with Racing after the last World Cup so he's familiar with the club and what shifting to Paris would entail.

Likewise, Racing know all about him and, having reportedly offered 1m a season to Matt Giteau this year only to be turned down by the former Wallaby, money doesn't seem to be a problem.

Toulon are reportedly interested in Nonu. Some reports have even suggested deals have been done, which highlights the problem All Black management face in the next few months.

It's not just Carter and Nonu coming off contract. Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Conrad Smith are, too. With the exception of Woodcock, next year might be the end for all of them, as McCaw and Mealamu have hinted they will most likely retire.

There will be speculation and sensational stories around the world about what senior All Blacks are going to be doing in 2016 and it could easily become a major distraction, starting with the end-of-year tour.

Management, who probably also need to declare whether they are interested in trying to stay on after the tournament, need to encourage all their veterans to make decisions soon.

It will especially be the case with Carter. He can't but help generate headlines, particularly as he could be about to become the richest player in the history of the game.