Sonny Bill Williams' manager Khoder Nasser's already signalled the Kiwis star won't play in next month's inaugural Auckland Nines tournament - now Williams' Sydney Roosters star team-mates appear unlikely to turn out either.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson says the NRL premiers fielded more players than any other club at last year's World Cup, so any Tricolours players who were in the Kangaroos and Kiwis squads won't take part in the Eden Park event.
The Roosters' priority is the World Club Challenge, a week after the Nines, against Wigan, so it seems only returning club legend Brad Fittler and possibly Premiership winning halfback Mitchell Pearce will spearhead the Roosters' assault on the Nines.