Even as a host of All Blacks put pen to paper on new contracts to remain in Aotearoa, NZ Rugby concedes it won't be able to keep everyone happy financially.
Most of the All Blacks are coming off-contract after this year's World Cup, bringing the latest cycle to a close and ending the careers of some of their' most recognisable players in the modern era.
Already, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick have all but signalled the end of their All Blacks tenures by taking deals in Japan, while Dane Coles will retire altogether.
Richie Mo'unga has signed a three-year deal in Japan from next year, but is conceivably young enough to return, while Ardie Savea will take 2024 as a sabbatical playing abroad.
Rieko Ioane has re-signed with NZ Rugby through 2027, joining hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho in committing to the next World Cup.
Those two join the likes of Sam Cane, Scott Barrett Jordie Barrett, Dalton Papali'i, Codie Taylor among the senior All Blacks to recommit, but with several stars yet to re-sign - including Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown - NZ Rugby general manager of professional rugby Chris Lendrum says not everyone can stay.
"We've got enough money to have a really fair crack at keeping all of the most significant players," Lendrum told Sky Sport's the Breakdown.
"We can't keep everybody, that's been the case for a number of years now and will probably remain the case.
"We're not the top of the market, financially. In Japan and France, the clubs and corporations in those competitions have a significant amount of money to throw around for our best players and sometimes our up-and-coming players.
"We can't keep them all, but the lure of the All Black jersey is still really strong for players."
Lendrum also reveals players staying will, generally, be hit in the pocket.
For years, players have been able to earn more money for less work in Europe, as clubs in England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have lured them abroad. Japan's growth has only added to that headache for NZ Rugby.
With overseas-based players ineligible to represent the All Blacks, Lendrum says NZ Rugby's offers are competitive enough to keep the best players at home.
"There's generally a financial gap," he added. "For those elite players, it's probably 10-30 percent.
"It's not immaterial, but when you combine the value that we can offer, which for the senior players and elite All Blacks, it's a great wage by any standard in New Zealand terms.
"The ability to play for the All Blacks on top of that, that's a pretty special package. That's why you're seeing all these players committing again."
Lendrum also says NZ Rugby won't change its overseas-based selection policy any time soon.
Earlier this year, Barrett suggested the All Blacks policy be reconsidered to keep the best players available for the national team, even when abroad.
While Australia introduced the 'Giteau Law' - whereby players with a certain number of test caps remain eligible - NZ Rugby won't change its ways for now, despite the possibility of change in the future.
"You move too quickly in this space at your peril," added Lendrum. "Absolutely, that's something we might consider in the future, but sitting where I do, it's probably a last resort for us.
"Maybe one day, that's our future, but I'm not in a hurry to get to that future. When you've got the talent that we have stacking up here, committing to play in the next World Cup cycle and committing through to 2027, there's just no rush for us to move there.
"We don't need to and as long as we can hold out as we are, we'll keep doing that."
All Blacks contracts:
Signed to 2024: Caleb Clarke, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Joe Moody, Josh Lord, Sevu Reece
Signed to 2025: Ardie Savea, Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Folau Fakatava, Finlay Christie, Jordie Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Ethan de Groot, David Havili,
Signed to 2026: Tyrel Lomax
Signed to 2027: Rieko Ioane, Samisoni Taukei'aho
Unsigned: TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Nepo Laulala, Damian McKenzie, George Bower, Will Jordan, Akira Ioane, Jack Goodhue, Brad Weber, Quinn Tupaea, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder, Braydon Ennor, Fletcher Newell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Cullen Grace
