Fullback
Mils Muliaina (Chiefs)
Going to: NTT Docomo (Japan)
He'll be missed because: He is one of those players who rarely does anything wrong, Muliaina has become a fixture in the All Blacks for almost a decade. Big question is whether he will hang on to the fullback position for one last season in black.
To be replaced by: Tim Nanai-Williams.
Right wing
Joe Rokocoko (Blues)
Going to: Bayonne (France)
He'll be missed because: He still knows his way to the tryline and can be relied upon to run the ball back hard. But age has wearied him and it is hard to see his international career being extended one more year.
To be replaced by: Sherwin Stowers.
Centre
Jared Payne (Blues)
Going to: Ulster (Northern Ireland)
He'll be missed because: He is a talented player who appears to be coming into his prime. Has not looked out of his depth surrounded by All Blacks in the Blues backline.
To be replaced by: Winston Stanley.
Second five-eight
Luke McAlister (Blues)
Going to: Toulouse (France)
He'll be missed because: When he is on form, there are few better anywhere. Can run, kick and tackle, but just does not do it often enough. Never really delivered on early promise.
To be replaced by: Benson Stanley.
Left wing
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Going to: Clermont (France)
He'll be missed because: He is still capable of creating chances and tries out of nothing. Those mazy runs, where he carves off metres in no time at all, give defences heart attacks.
To be replaced by: Tim Mikkelson.
First five-eighth
Stephen Donald (Chiefs)
Going to: Bath (England) or Munster (Ireland)
He'll be missed because: On his day and against players slightly below the highest level, Donald is a good runner and accurate kicker. But he is no Dan Carter.
To be replaced by: Trent Renata.
Halfback
Kahn Fotuali'i (Crusaders)
Going to: Ospreys (Wales)
He'll be missed because: He has the rare ability to read a game and put the ball in the right place at the right time. If he timed his run better and got more starts, he could have worn a black jersey.
To be replaced by: Steve Alfeld.
No 8
Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes)
Going to: Honda (Japan)
He'll be missed because: He's been a tireless worker in the past decade for province, franchise and country. His body let him down over the past two years as all the hits and tackles caught up with him.
To be replaced by: Victor Vito.
Openside flanker
Alando Soakai (Highlanders)
Going to: Kubota Spears (Japan)
He'll be missed because: He has a non-stop work rate and big engine. Rarely missed a tackle but was strangely never seen as a contender for the next step up.
To be replaced by: John Hardie.
Blindside flankerJ
onathan Poff (Crusaders)
Going to: Wasps (England)
He'll be missed because: He seldom plays a bad game and has always made an impact off the bench. But is starting to get near the back of the queue of loose forwards at the Crusaders.
To be replaced by: Luke Whitelock.
Lock
Bryn Evans (Hurricanes)
Going to: London Irish (England)
He'll be missed because: Er, must have been something the All Black selectors saw in him two years ago. Nobody else seemed to and he has sunk quicker than a lead balloon.
To be replaced by: Anyone who can sit on a bench.
Lock
Brad Thorn (Crusaders)
Going to: Fukuoka Sanix Blues (Japan)
He'll be missed because: of his sheer physical presence and work-rate right around the park. He looked like he would come back for one season in 2008 and is still chugging away impressively three years later.
To be replaced by: Luke Romano.
Prop
Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes)
Going to: Bayonne (France)
He'll be missed because: He can still play the odd good game and hold his scrum up well. Tweeters will also miss his lively chat although perhaps there should have been more time working on getting fit.
To be replaced by: Jeff Allen.
Hooker
Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs)
Going to: Stade Francais (France)
He'll be missed because: In a tight battle his hard driving play is invaluable and he always made the advantage line. But wonky lineout throwing and bad hands were also in his bag of tricks.
To be replaced by: Dan Perrin.
Prop
John Schwalger (Hurricanes)
Going to: Agen (France)
He'll be missed because: He has come back into form this year, running the ball up hard and putting together a decent scrum. But he never excelled at the top level and may have needed to be a tad taller.
To be replaced by: Jacob Ellison.
