An major international rugby shake-up would have far-reaching impact on the All Blacks, after plans for a global calendar took another step towards reality.
Newshub understands moving the test window from July to October is firmly on the table.
But New Zealand Rugby Players Association head Rob Nicol is concerned that simply moving test matches would be a mere band-aid for a much wider problem with the game.
"Rather than starting the international season by hosting the northern hemisphere countries, you're doing your southern hemisphere competition and then going into hosting internationals," Nichol has told Newshub.
That means the All Blacks' home series would move to October.
Super Rugby would still be the first competition of the year, immediately followed by the Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks' home tests would come next, before they head to Europe for their usual northern tour - and that jam-packed workload is an issue for Nichol.
"It's actually quite a demand," he says. "Not even Rugby World Cup would put that sort of demand on tier-one unions."
Player welfare is a primary hurdle to overcome, with the test calendar far more congested under the revised schedule. Equally as important is ensuring teams are playing meaningful test matches.
"I think there's something in touring - maybe there is appeal in the end of year just going up, and playing two or three tests against France, and then when we're back at home and we host one country for two or three.
That could bring valuable cash injections for unions, which is something that would benefit those who face a huge financial hurdle to overcome.
"Australian rugby's position is that we should be open-minded to any solution that potentially brings better commercial outcomes," sayd Australian Rugby interim chief executive Rob Clarke.
Any changes to the calendar are still some time away, but the wheels appear very much in motion toward a change to the All Blacks' yearly schedule.
