Centre Rieko Ioane is tipped to be the next All Blacks star heading offshore after this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
Several senior internationals, including Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea, have already announced their intention to chase their retirement fund overseas, leaving the next national coach to rebuild his roster next year.
The Roar website is reporting Ioane, 25, is also poised to join the exodus, leaving a gaping hole in the backline that he was expected to fill for many years to come.
He is expected to join Ricoh Black Rams in the Japanese League One, but Ioane has denied the rumours to Stuff.
"I haven't seen anything," he said. "That's news to me."
Ioane debuted for the All Blacks as a teenager against Italy in 2016 and became a regular starter against the British & Irish Lions the following year, switching from wing to centre under current coach Ian Foster.
He has appeared in 55 tests and has also played 86 games for the Blues in Super Rugby.
