All Blacks hooker Dane Coles said on Wednesday he has no concerns about heading to Australia for more than two months for the Rugby Championship, joking that he could use the time away from his three children.
The All Blacks are due to head to Australia for the Nov. 7-Dec. 12 southern hemisphere competition after two Bledisloe Cup Tests against the Wallabies in New Zealand next month.
Biosecurity protocols mean players will be away from their families for about nine weeks.
"I've got three kids, I'll be on that first plane out of here," Coles told reporters in Wellington while laughing. "It's our job and we've got to go over there, and playing for the black jersey sometimes takes a little bit of sacrifice.
"It's a little bit longer but if you've got to do it, you've got to do it. I'm definitely putting my hand up to go over there and play for the All Blacks."
Coles, who added that he would support any of his teammates who opted not to go, was reluctant to discuss concerns about whether the Championship might not go ahead.
The Argentina squad have been dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 infections and, like world champions South Africa, have not played since March and would be lacking match fitness.
"I don't want to go into it further because there's that many rumours going on ... right now we've got two weeks of guaranteed footy and that's awesome," Coles said.
"Any rugby, especially All Blacks footy, at the moment would be pretty good."
Reports earlier in the week suggested leading All Blacks - including Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett - were considering skipping the tournament to stay home and take care of their young families.
But Mo'unga rubbished the report linking his name, saying playing rugby was his job and he would indeed head to Australia if selected by All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
Coles echoed Mo'unga's sentiments on Wednesday.
"Richie summed it up: it is our job. We have got to go over there and play for the black jersey and sometimes it takes a bit of sacrifice. NZ Rugby do it really well making sure our families back home are looked after and we have got good support and that makes it a bit easier."
Coles did however say that any teammate that did withdraw from the Rugby Championship would have his full support.
"You can understand their predicament ... that is a personal thing, they will be talking to their families and wives and make the best decision for themselves. I can't speak for them but as their mate they have got my support whatever decision they make."