Hard to balance work and family commitments

else; clearly we’re humans and there’s emotions involved and particularly when you’ve got wives, partners and children those emotions can be dinted at times. Because we’re away so much trying to have a normal life as much as possible is important.’’

Modern technology makes life easier but, even then, other than the captain the All Blacks players share rooms on tour.

At the heart of it rugby is like any other profession. Players’ hauora (well-being) and motivation are directly impacted by what happens in their personal lives. Families are naturally central to that, and if things aren’t going well off the park, often that is reflected on it.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read has two girls Elle, 5, and Eden, 4, and a third addition on the way. He says being away doesn’t get any easier but keeping in touch regularly and busy at other times helps avoid getting homesick. ‘‘Now my girls are getting a bit older and they can understand the time when you say you’re away for two weeks, they know it’s quite a long time so it’s a bit harder,’’ Read said. ‘‘Technology is great and my wife does a great job so it makes my life easier and when I’m away I can focus on the rugby. I absolutely love the time I get to spend with the kids.

‘‘Families sometimes go through it a bit harder than us in terms of expectations and everything that gets put on the players. When we are home in those breaks you make sure you enjoy that solid time. It’s not like you’re a 9-5 worker. In the weeks you’re home you are there full days apart from doing the training.’’

Responsibility for incorporating families falls under Gilbert Enoka’s brief, with help from Bianca Thiel.

At last year’s World Cup, when the All Blacks spent the best part of two months in England and Wales, everyone within the squad could invite family members. The same is true around certain home tests.

‘‘They had the option to bring them for as long as they wanted but most of the guys either chose to bring them early and go home or come in late,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘The World Cup is really difficult because you don’t know how long you’re staying. Getting tickets and accommodation is also very expensive, so each person did it their own way.

‘‘Personally my wife Tash came but the kids didn’t and we went on holiday after the tournament so we could have some quality time together.

‘‘We try to involve the partners and young kids as much as possible. The older kids have school and what not to worry about. But if we can and players want to bring their partners and children we try to do that.’’