MOVING ON: All Blacks veteran Conrad Smith is expected to leave New Zealand after this year's World Cup to take up a contract in France.

You win some and you lose some. Veteran centre Conrad Smith is poised to be the latest All Black to depart after the World Cup, though former international Rene Ranger is understood to be keen to return to New Zealand.

French biweekly rugby newspaper Midi Olympique reported that runaway Pro2 (second-division) leaders Pau were closing in on the prized signature of Smith as they look to bolster their squad for their tilt at next season's Top 14.

The news will come as no surprise to New Zealand Rugby officials, who expect to lose most of their experienced All Blacks after this year's World Cup in England.

Andy Jackson/Fairfax NZ HOMEWARD BOUND: Former All Black Rene Ranger is reportedly keen to return to New Zealand from France.

Dan Carter (Racing Metro), Ma'a Nonu (Toulon), Ben Franks (London Irish) and Jeremy Thrush (Gloucester) have been confirmed as heading north.

Fringe international Ben Tameifuna is understood to be pondering a similar move, while the likes of 2013 All Black tourist Frank Halai, veteran flanker Luke Braid and Chiefs utility Tom Marshall have also confirmed departures.

Others such as Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock, and possibly skipper Richie McCaw, are expected to retire after the World Cup.

The French rugby newspaper reported that Pau were in "very advanced" talks with Smith.

It is understood the 33-year-old, 85-test veteran is seeking a two-year deal, and discussions on the term were all that remained to be resolved.

Midi also reported that Ranger, the former Blues and All Blacks utility back, was "not going to honour" the final year of his Montpellier contract and would return to New Zealand.

It is thought Ranger is homesick and has been looking to leave the club for a while now.

It is not clear where he would return to play his rugby, but his links are in Northland and with the Blues.

Ranger played six tests for the All Blacks in 2010 and 2013 before leaving to take up a deal with Montpellier.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew told Stuff.co.nz this week that NZR remained committed to retaining as many players as possible, but the cash-rich markets in France, Britain and Japan were always going to be tough competitors.

"It's not just the TV money," he said. "French owners have been pumping enormous amounts of money in that makes no economic sense.

"We noticed a couple of English clubs have been busy the last couple of months and haven't gone away, and Japan are still niggling away. Ireland are still there as well."

NZR is not losing all the battles. It managed to retain prop Charlie Faumuina in the face of a big-money offer from Racing Metro, and it is understood Jerome Kaino, who was chased by Toulose, will also be retained through a new deal that could include a sabbatical.

Hosea Gear has returned from stints in France and Japan to play for the Chiefs as he attempts to win back a spot in the All Blacks.

Tew said NZR would continue to talk to leading players who are off contract this year.

"We're working our way through a group of players," he said.

"There are some very experienced guys who have been with us for a long time who we are indebted to and very grateful to for what they've done for us, and they need to be given the opportunity to make those decisions, and whatever decisions they are, have those executed in the right way.

"We're having those conversations as we speak. We'll give them the space and time they require because they've been great servants and incredibly loyal."

Meanwhile, Wallabies halfback Will Genia has reportedly signed a three-year deal with French club Stade Francais and will leave Australia after the 2015 World Cup.

The 58-test Queenslander had been linked to English club Bath, but a report from France on Monday said Genia would be calling Paris home as early as the end of this year.