Coronavirus: Coles prepared to take pay cut to help save New Zealand Rugby

Dane Coles is prepared to take a pay cut and hopes other players will also undergo a financial hit during the coronavirus crisis to help ease the burden on New Zealand Rugby.

The Super Rugby season was suspended last week and plans for an alternative domestic competition have been put on hold amid the global pandemic.

New Zealand Rugby is set to be given financial assistance from the government during such unprecedented times.

All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Coles says the players must also play a part.

“It’s inevitable [that a pay cut will be required] and that’s totally understandable considering what’s going on in New Zealand,” he told the New Zealand Herald.

“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.”

Coles backed the decision not to start up an alternative competition.

“We were always keen to do something but we were never going to risk the lives of people and we weren’t going to do it without the government giving it the okay. That was the main priority we spoke about.” he added.

“After what’s come out, I don’t think we’ll be getting together again too soon. Which is fair enough. At the end of the day it’s just rugby and there’s more to life at the moment to worry about, so we’ll just take it as it comes.”

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