All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor isn't too keen on the idea of spending Christmas Day away from his family in isolation if he travels with the team to Australia for the Rugby Championship.
On Friday SANZAAR announced Australia would host the tournament, with World Rugby approving the playing window of November 7 to December 12.
Before the latest waves of COVID-19 cases, New Zealand was the favoured host and even received full backing from World Rugby and SANZAAR, but a late play from Australia saw them win the right to host the six-week tournament.
Instead, the All Blacks are set to host two Bledisloe Cup matches, starting next month before departing for Australia.
If the tournament does end on December 12, the All Blacks players and staff - several of whom have young children - will be in managed isolation during the Christmas period.
The partners of TJ Perenara and Richie Mo'unga gave birth last month, while Beauden Barrett's wife is expecting any time now.
NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson says they are working through plans to ensure the All Blacks can finish earlier so they can get through their isolation period before December 25.
But the prospect of spending 10 weeks away from family is tough for Taylor.
"I'm still working through it mentally, but there will be processes in place," he says. "The All Blacks environment is like a home.
"It'll be tough being away from the family and kids, but people have to do it all over the world.
"You always want to play at home, even if it was behind closed doors with an empty crowd.
"With what's going on, it's what you have to do to get out on the paddock."
Fellow All Black George Bridge agrees but says players need to be adaptable during these tricky times.
"We haven't got the full details around times and dates, but that's the way it is. It's been a rough year and you just have to be adaptable.
"There was some chat about the Rugby Championship being played in New Zealand, but it's good to see we will have a couple of test matches here."
Earlier this week, All Blacks captain Sam Cane and midfielder Jack Goodhue also expressed concerns about playing outside of New Zealand.
Robinson says NZ Rugby will support any All Black who doesn't wish to travel with the team, whether it's for personal reasons or they don't feel comfortable with participating.
"We are hugely supportive of our players - we know they have gone through an incredibly tough time this year.
"This challenge of what they are about to undertake is going to be significant and we will back them and their families in whatever way we need to ensure they are looked after.
"If that means they are unable to assemble or travel we'll hear that out and support that."
Last week, Ian Foster named his first-ever All Blacks squad with 35 players, but selectors will likely need to call up at least 11 more for the trip to Australia.
Even though the Rugby Championship has been given the green light, South Africa's involvement is still to be determined as they have only just started training as a team.
SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos said the Springboks' participation was dependent on several factors outside its control.
While in recent days, 13 Pumas players - along with head coach Mario Ledesma - have tested positive for COVID-19.
