Club captain Dave Dennis (108 matches for NSW), Wycliff Palu (139), Kurtley Beale (110) and the recently retired Benn Robinson (155) have all stated they will not be going around next year for the Waratahs.

However, there are two more key figures, Wallabies Polota-Nau (141) and Mumm (113), who may also be moving on in what would be a monumental changing of the guard, particularly in the forward pack.

While Polota-Nau said after the Waratahs' 34-28 loss to the Blues at Eden Park on Friday that he was "still weighing up the options", it is believed the 30-year-old has already made up his mind to leave and has told teammates. Although it is unclear where he plans to take his services, Japan is certainly an option. "I want to make the most of being in the company of the boys because we owe a lot to the guys that are going and they've definitely set a platform in terms of what the standard is," Polota-Nau said.

"Whether I do continue or whether I don't, I'm just a byproduct of what the team achieves. To be a part of that is awesome."

Palu, a close friend of Polota-Nau, who lived with him for five years in Waterloo, said: "I consider him as a brother and it's disappointing for him to go, but I guess that's good for him at the moment."

Weighing up his options: Dean Mumm. Photo: Getty Images

Mumm, who made his debut for NSW in 2004 before a three-year stint with English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, said he had no desire to go abroad again, but would take some time to assess his future.

"I'll have a couple of weeks to make a decision," he said. "I love this joint and the people within it and it makes any decision really difficult."

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson was optimistic, saying: "We're very hopeful he'll [Mumm] go another year. The second row is an area that we really want to be strong."

If Mumm left, the Waratahs could be without five of eight key forwards in Robinson, Polota-Nau, Mumm, Dennis and Palu. Forwards coach Cam Blades has worked tirelessly to get the Waratahs scrum under control and they have shown improvement. But Blades acknowledges there could be a big void for season 2017, given how much experience is walking out the door.

"You can't immediately replace guys around that in terms of their knowledge and leadership experience," Blades said. "There will be that transition into finding new leaders and consistent performers."

Palu, 33, confirmed this year would be his last for NSW.

"It's time for me to move on and I think if we don't move on the team won't grow," he said. "I think it's a good time, especially for me to move on and the team can as well."

There was plenty of man love between the departing Waratahs in the sheds after the narrow defeat. "All the boys can take a page out of his [Dennis'] book in terms of just what it takes to go through adversity," Polota-Nau said. "Two knee reconstructions and people would give up straight away, but for him to go through it and come up on top, what a great story."