Player movement has predominantly, almost exclusively, been in one direction (south to north) since the dawn of the professional age. Only a handful have travelled the other way.
Christian Califano, Kevin Yates, Freddie Michalak, Gregor Townsend and Danny Cipriani are the only recognised test players to appear in Super Rugby while they have been in the international frame for their respective countries.
Hernandez, still in his prime and central to Argentina's hopes in the Rugby Championship, would do much to pave the way for more of his countrymen to play in the Southern Hemisphere.
Most of Argentina's test squad are contracted to French clubs.
The lure of Europe, however, may prove less in time, as most of the Argentinian players are believed to have taken pay cuts because of their unavailability during the Rugby Championship. The continued fall of the euro and the British pound has also helped to close the pay gap between the hemispheres.
Comparatively, players based in the Northern Hemisphere thinking about a season or two in Super Rugby can see they would not necessarily be taking a major pay cut in the current climate.
The conditions are right then for Super Rugby teams to begin a more aggressive approach to recruitment.
Some of the barriers to entry have been lowered and, perhaps more importantly, there appears to be a growing number of players in Europe who want to sample the faster-paced, higher-skilled rugby.
The focus on winning possession makes European rugby ferociously competitive at the breakdown and set piece but can stunt the growth of more creative players.
Only last week, World Cup hero Stephen Donald said he was looking forward to getting home to New Zealand, as the style of rugby at Bath was not lighting his fire.
England flanker James Haskell, with the Highlanders this sea-son, is one of those broader-minded players willing to expose himself to Super Rugby. A talented flanker with a big engine and a range of ball skills, Haskell made the brave decision to put his England career on hold while he took up a sabbatical, first in Japan and then in New Zealand.
He will return to play for Wasps after his Super Rugby commitments and attempt to win back a place in the England squad.
Inevitably, his progress will be followed by the England coaches, his team-mates and Wasps fans - all of whom will want to see firstly how he adapts to Super Rugby and secondly, to see whether he really can resume his test career once he returns to England.
Players such as Luke McAlister and Chris Jack who resumed their New Zealand careers after respective stints in Europe found it much tougher than they thought to assimilate. McAlister in particular never looked the same player after his two seasons at Sale and headed to France last year after failing to make the World Cup squad.
The scenario could be different for those exposed to rugby down here.
Haskell is likely to head home fitter, faster and more aware of how to use the ball.
Hernandez, too, if he comes, will learn about decision-making under pressure and having to orchestrate offensive plays across multiple channels.
Neither is likely to end the season massively out of pocket.
The final piece of the foreign jigsaw is a more open mind from the Southern Hemisphere franchises. All five New Zealand sides can sign two foreign players, yet it seems such an avenue is considered only in desperation.
By the time some franchises have decided to test the market, they have missed the window, as the best players in Europe tend to make career decisions between February and May.
As Haskell may prove, signing one foreign star in a squad of 30 makes better sense than believing every young New Zealander is a better prospect.
