All Blacks fullback/wing Ben Smith is contracted to NZ Rugby until 2020 but has a termination clause in his contract that allows him walk away after the 2019.

All Blacks Ben Smith and Ardie Savea could join French club Pau after next year's World Cup, according to a European rugby news outlet.

The Rugbyrama website has stated Smith and Savea are being chased by Top 14 club Pau, who are coached by former All Blacks first five-eighths Simon Mannix.

Although fullback/wing Smith is contracted to NZ Rugby until 2020, an early termination clause in his contract allows him to be a free agent after the 2019 global tournament in Japan.

PHOTOSPORT All Black Ben Smith spies a gap during the Rugby Championship test match against Argentina at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

At 32 years of age and with 71 test caps in his dossier the versatile Smith, the oldest wing to represent the All Blacks, is likely to be considering his options with great care.

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Although co-captain of the Highlanders, and a key member of the All Blacks' leadership group, the lure of earning big money in Europe may be too good to resist in the twilight years of his professional career.

GETTY IMAGES All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea recently re-signed a one-year deal with NZ Rugby and will be a free agent after the World Cup in Japan next year.

Earlier this year flanker Savea, who has made 29 test appearances, elected to extend his contract by just one year, meaning he will be in a strong position to either renegotiate a new deal with NZ Rugby after the World Cup or follow older brother Julian to an overseas club.

Despite being only 24 years of age, Savea may be getting itchy feet; the fact he didn't want to extend his deal with NZ Rugby beyond 2019 suggests he is open to the prospect of heading offshore.

Complicating things for Savea is the fact that incumbent test No 7 Sam Cane, who has locked down that job since Richie McCaw retired after the 2015 World Cup, is contracted to NZ Rugby through to 2020.

Julian, 28, played 54 tests for the All Blacks between 2012 and 2017 before electing to join French club Toulon.

If Smith and Savea go to Pau they would be surrounded by some familiar faces. Mannix is assisted by former All Blacks Conrad Smith and Carl Hayman. Ex-All Blacks Colin Slade, Tom Taylor, Benson Stanley and Jamie Mackintosh are also on the club's roster.

The fact Lima Sopoaga, who made 16 test appearances between 2015-17, is now earning around $1 million a season at English premiership club Wasps underscores how much the talented Barrett could reap on the open market.

STUFF All Blacks star Beauden Barrett is already being chased by wealthy French clubs. His contract with NZ Rugby expires after the 2019 World Cup.

It is expected a number of All Blacks will elect to go overseas after the World Cup cycle; the challenge for NZ Rugby is to retain those players who are still in their prime.

Recently NZ Rugby CEO Steve Tew said long-term financial projections showed his organisation spent on, on average, between $5-7 million a year more than what they earn; 36 percent of fixed costs were siphoned towards professional players' wages.

After the All Blacks defended the Webb Ellis Cup at the 2015 World Cup, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Ben Franks, Conrad Smith and Colin Slade joined clubs in France and England.

Although foreign clubs will also target non-test players, it is the pillaging of the All Blacks' stocks that will get the most attention.

A large block of starting test players are off contract after the 2019 tournament including captain Kieran Read, Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Liam Squire, Aaron Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett and Waisake Naholo.