All Black Exodus.

The expected All Blacks exodus following the 2019 Rugby World Cup is starting to seriously ramp up with news that Sam Whitelock has turned down a new deal with the NZRU and is set to be unveiled as a Toulon player this week.

This comes in the wake of Ben Smith’s move to Pau and Kieran Read’s expected departure, with the All Blacks captain reportedly close to agreeing a deal with Racing 92.

According to French sports newspaper L’Equipe, Whitelock rejected a new deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union after a meeting with Toulon recruitment representative Laurent Emmanuelli in Pretoria, South Africa back in October.

And in a further boost Toulon are also said to be close to agreeing a deal with another All Black in Nehe Milner-Skudder, although he may not be signed in time for an unveiling this week. All Blacks exodus indeed.