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Impending fatherhood has three first-choice Blues players in doubt for the opening rounds of rugby's Super 14.
Two All Blacks - winger Joe Rokocoko and flanker Jerome Kaino and halfback Taniela Moa are all expecting their first child in mid to late February, when the Blues are on their early-season road trip.
Their first match is against the Western Force in Perth on February 13, the Bulls in Pretoria on February 21 and the Stormers in Cape Town on February 28.
Team management have given the trio permission to be present for when the babies are born but a spokesperson said that each player's case would be a "day to day proposition".
"Nothing is guaranteed in these situations but there are contingency plans as to whether the players play or not," the spokesperson said.
Rokocoko, 25, told The Sunday News newspaper he had ruled himself out of the two games in South Africa.
"I'm willing to play that Force game but I don't really want to take the risk of going to South Africa and coming back," said Rokocoko, whose baby is due on February 24.
"Depending on when the baby comes, I might be available for the last week, but if he doesn't come until that week then I'll have to wait until they (the Blues), come back."
- NZPA
