BRAWN DRAIN: WE ARE LOSING ALL BLACKS

Lima Sopoaga’s move to English club Wasps is the latest in a growing number of All Blacks leaving New Zealand to cash in overseas.

Of all 119 All Blacks to a play a test since 2008, 54 are still active in New Zealand rugby, five have retired without ever playing overseas and the remaining 60 have taken up opportunities overseas. Some have returned to New Zealand but are still counted amongst those who have departed. World Cup years, unsurprisingly, tend to be the busiest at the departure gates. Eleven All Blacks joined an overseas club in 2011 and 12 departed in 2015.