No 'paternity leave' for All Blacks

There will be no 'paternity leave' for two All Black players who are about to become fathers.

Code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams and prop Charlie Faumuina both looks set to miss the birth of their children, while on tour with New Zealand in America – before heading across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

Williams is set to make his return to the international arena in Saturday's tour-opening Test against the US Eagles in Chicago.

His wife, Alana, is expecting their first child in two to three weeks' time, while teammate Faumuina's wife, Rachelle, is heavily pregnant with their second child.

"Both of them are staying on the tour regardless of whether the baby comes early or the baby comes late," coach Steve Hansen told NZ Newswire.

Hansen has always maintained there is no protocol for All Black fathers-in-waiting.

Players make their own decision about whether to attend the birth of their children, with a number having missed Tests in recent seasons for that reason.

This year centre Conrad Smith skipped August's drawn Test against Australia in Sydney, then hooker Dane Coles flew home from Argentina a month ago.

Williams, who was playing in Australia's National Rugby League last month before crossing codes again to try to make the All Blacks' World Cup squad, was named at his preferred inside centre position in the side to face the Eagles.

He had been expected to start in order for Hansen to get him back up to speed in the 15-man game after he played a part in two games in New Zealand's provincial championship before being selected in the squad.

Source: NZ Newswire