A mega weather system is set to hit New Zealand rugby in 2016.
For the first time since 2008, the All Blacks will face a major reconstruction project as we lose not only experienced longtime players like McCaw, Carter, Nonu, Smith and Mealamu but also appears set to also lose younger key players like Ben Franks, Slade, Piutau, Crotty etc. and our second-tier players like Naholo, Sai'ili, etc. to the riches of French rugby.
Ah yes, let's hope that this will be the only blow the French will deliver to the All Blacks over the next 12 months.
Alas then there's the Olympics which rule some players out from selection in the 15 man code.
Nevertheless, when Kieran Read properly takes over as captain of the All Blacks post Rugby World Cup, he and Steve Hansen face a task not dissimilar to Taine Randell's and John Hart's in 1998, when Sean Fitzpatrick and Zinzan Brooke hung up their boots leaving a massive leadership void in the ABs who went on to have their worst season in the last 20 years.
Yes, there will be players like Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Smith still available for selection barring injury, but the gap of experience below them is looking quite ominous.
There has and will be a lot of talent to fill that gap, i.e. Luke Whitelock, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Damian McKenzie, Ihaia West, and we can trust Steve Hansen to get these guys accustomed to All Blacks rugby like he has done with Cane, Retallick, Smith and Barrett.
Nevertheless, worrying times are ahead for New Zealand rugby fans as the European economies recover and French rugby is set to receive more money than it has now to lure the best players in the world, turning itself into rugby's version of the Indian and English Premier League.
Could it come to the point where French rugby scouts come all the way to New Zealand and steal our players to Gallicize them? It's already happened in football where EPL club scouts have already started going overseas to find the best young talent and domesticize them.
On the bright note, if the All Blacks have a good season in 2016, the future should be fine for them - a good sign ahead of the Lions tour in 2017.
While 2015 is a big year for the All Blacks what with the World Cup, 2016 is shaping up to be a defining year for All Blacks rugby.
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