The once overflowing pipeline of capable Australian Test five-eighths has dried up, to the extent that with an injury or two the Wallabies will suffer a major crisis.
For many years, Wallabies coaches had the luxury of numerous high quality No 10s to choose from, which often saw intense battles for the Test pivot spot. Now there is virtually nothing. Bernard Foley. Quade Cooper. And that's it.
As Foley has in recent months suffered from concussion issues, and Cooper, like any player approaching the 30-year mark, is overcoming numerous injuries, there is a serious chance that in a season where Australia have a cluttered Test itinerary, they will eventually be forced to select an inexperienced performer, or even an unknown in the Wallabies No 10 jersey.
That happens when only two of the five Australian Super Rugby provinces have recently fielded locals at No 10. While the Waratahs and Reds have Australian pivots, South African Peter Grant is the Force No 10, Fijian Ben Volavola and New Zealander Wharenui Hawera are respectively the Rebels and Brumbies five-eighths.
While Australia look enviously towards New Zealand, who have a glut of quality No 10s, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admits that improving the depth of local playmakers "is something we have to work on".
"We need to make sure we are getting our planning right," Cheika said.
One step taken this week by Cheika was including 21-year-old Waratahs pivot Mack Mason into the Wallabies squad as a development player.
Australia's premier No 10 Mark Ella, who during his illustrious career was involved in an intense duel for the spot with Paul McLean, said it was imperative that those involved in the local development of the game worked on improving the number of playmakers coming through.
"Australia has for years churned out five-eighths who have come out and played with so much confidence. But now we only have two, which is crazy. It doesn't make sense," Ella told ESPN.
"I know Queensland have tried a couple of younger guys the past year or two, and they were okay. But they weren't quite up to it. Nowadays as it is such a structured game, they are not so instinctive. So many of them probably don't show their strengths."
Ella understands why several Australian provinces have opted for foreigners to be their midfield directors.
"Such is the low performances of our local Super Rugby teams, they have to look overseas for players who can guide a team around the park. You can't really blame the provinces for denying younger players an opportunity as the success of the team is now paramount. Coaches are not prepared to play inexperienced players.
"You read the papers and with two Super Rugby rounds to go you hear that coaches are going to play their younger players, and give them an opportunity. Two rounds are not going to define whether they are a good player or not."
Ella likes how Foley approaches his No 10 duties, but is mindful that a heavy international schedule will eventually work against him.
"Foley's a good footballer. He's consistent. Cooper was great, but then he got injured. At least with Foley you know what you're going to get, and what he is going to deliver. What he delivers is good. So, he's always going to be our No 1 choice."
Ella said one alternative at No 10 may be Kurtley Beale.
"You need to build combinations at No 9 and No 10, No 12 and No 13, the locks and the back three. Since Robbie Deans was Australian coach, we've struggled to have consistent combinations at Test level. The only spot which has been consistent is at half-back. There's been experiments at No 10. I don't know how many No 12s there's been. I don't understand why there hasn't been consistency in those spots.
"Kurtley has also played all over the place. He's not a consistent No 10. He's often used at inside centre. For god's sake pick a position for him and make sure he becomes the best in one position, rather than in three positions.
"We've got to bite the bullet and sort this out. It is up to the coaches and development teams to bring these guys through. We've not developing the right guys. We should have been right on top of this five years ago.
"We've got Foley, who's going pretty well and Cooper is off his game but still a great player, and that's it. The big worry is who is going to fill in if something happens to these two. We're not thinking about the future. We're only thinking about what is going to happen today."