Quarantine rules set to force key All Blacks out of Rugby Championship

The All Blacks could be forced to take several rookie first-five's to Australia for the Rugby Championship, with several of New Zealand's top players not keen to go.

RNZ reports a group of players have already told New Zealand Rugby they don't want to leave their young families for up to ten weeks, which would likely include spending Christmas in quarantine upon their return.

Those players include first-fives Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett.

Mo'unga and his wife recently had their first child, while Barrett will become a father for the first time next month.

Halfback TJ Perenara, who has a newborn baby, wants to stay in New Zealand, which could leave the All Blacks coach Ian Foster with a big hole to fill in the playmaker's role.

Winger Sevu Reece and his partner are also set to have their first child next month and several other players with young children are also reconsidering the travel, meaning it could be a vastly understrength All Blacks team that tackles the Rugby Championship.

Last week SANZAAR ruled Australia will host the Rugby Championship in November and December with New Zealand due to play Australia in two Bledisloe Cup tests before, in October.

SANZAAR made it clear the reason the tournament went to Australia was due to the quarantine protocols.

Australia will host the six-week, 12-match, "home and away" tournament involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, in November and early December.

It will be played mostly in New South Wales with a round in Queensland.

[Source: RNZ]