The horse trading is now done and the Super 14 squads for next year are to be announced this morning.
Yesterday in Auckland, coaches of the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises went to the final selection meeting to pick their 28-strong squads for next season's competition.
But much of the drama around the draft has disappeared, thanks to the new loan-back deal, and more transparent contracting, and it could potentially be at an end as franchises directly contract players for 2011.
North Harbour No 8 Ron Cribb went from not being wanted by the Blues to making the All Blacks in 2000, after being picked up in the draft by the Crusaders.
But those days are a distant memory as franchises look to bring certainty and continuity to their squads.
Last year, Hawkes Bay fullback Israel Dagg made the draft and was picked up by the Highlanders and had an excellent first season.
This year he was hotter property, and did not even make it to the draft. He was signed by the Highlanders for 2010, then was loaned back to Hawkes Bay.
Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid said under the loan-back deals, a franchise that was, for example, initially looking for six players might now only be looking for half that number. The franchises can protect up to 24 players from within their regions, but that does not mean they will.
A side may not go to that limit if it thinks it can get better players in the draft.
It is a gamble - opting not to not protect a player in the hope of getting someone else from another region who is not protected.
Coaches not only have to know the abilities of players in their own region, but also those of players from around the country, and who they are up against in their franchise region.
Also in the background is the New Zealand Rugby Union, which discusses with coaches their picks and starting XVs.
The NZRU will also want to look at players who have not made the initial selection but still retain New Zealand Rugby Union contracts.
The NZRU does not want to be paying players when they are not playing in the Super 14; hence some borderline selections going in favour of players who have NZRU contracts.
One player who went into yesterday's draft is Canterbury first five-eighth Stephen Brett, who is heading for the Blues after being crowded out at the Crusaders by Dan Carter and Colin Slade.
The draft went all day yesterday, and all will be revealed this morning when the Super 14 squads are named in Auckland.
