All Blacks hooker Dane Coles is more than happy to take a pay cut to save the game of rugby in New Zealand.
NZ Rugby has delayed its proposed homegrown Super Rugby competition and a decision is expected soon on the All Blacks' three home tests in July.
That series is highly unlikely to take place, given the United Kingdom went into lockdown on Tuesday, as countries worldwide attempt to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Coles told NZME that players would inevitably be hit in the pocket, as the consequences of the sports inactivity reveal themselves in the coming months.
The Hurricanes co-captain said it was a simple necessity, given the current climate.
"That's totally understandable, considering what's going on in New Zealand," Coles told NZME.
"Rugby players in New Zealand might have to prepare for that, but that's just my opinion.
"You don't want New Zealand Rugby to go under, it would be a bad thing, so hopefully, the rugby players around New Zealand can do their part."
NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said meetings this week would determine how his body intended to ride out a dramatic fall in revenue, which would inevitably entail dipping into its significant financial reserves..
The Super Rugby teams are owned by private investors, who are guarantors until the end of the season.
Those investors will join crisis talks this week, along with the NZ Rugby Players' Association and representatives of the country's 26 provincial unions.
As a high-profile public organisation, Robinson admitted there would be intense focus on NZ Rugby's next steps.
"It's clear there are challenges and no-one's hiding from those, but we remain optimistic," Robinson said.
"We know we're going to pull out of this, as a game and as a country. It's just a matter of when, and that's where challenges and things like anxiety and tension build, when we've got uncertainty like this."
AAP/Newshub
