Form prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has cast doubt over his willingness to play for New Zealand in the contentious rugby league Test against England in the United States.
In a sign that new Kiwis coach Michael Maguire may struggle to name his strongest team for the Saturday, June 23 fixture in Denver, Waerea-Hargreaves was reticent when quizzed on his availability.
Shortly after Roosters coach Trent Robinson joined those criticising the timing of the mid-season fixture, his front-rower admitted he would need to consider his options if asked by Maguire to play.
"There's a bit of thought there, I'll make that call if the opportunity comes," Waerea-Hargreaves said.
"At the moment, I'm just trying to do my job at the club and do it well."
The reticence follows confirmation from Robinson and Warriors coach Stephen Kearney that any of their players who contest the Test won't be picked for the subsequent 16th round of NRL matches.
Other coaches are expected to adopt the same stance given the draining effects of playing at altitude in Colorado, followed by a 20-hour flight home and short turnaround.
Another veteran Kiwis forward, Adam Blair, said he was definitely available for selection.
Skipper of the New Zealand team who crashed out in the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup, the 32-year-old said he had no expectation of retaining the captaincy under Maguire.
"I'd love to be a part of the team. I don't care what I am or where I am," he said.
"I'm passionate about it and would love to go away to Denver with the boys and be part of it again."
Meanwhile, Blair laughed off an apparent bust-up with Waerea-Hargreaves when a series of tense stand-offs marked the closing minutes of the Roosters-Warriors match in Auckland on Saturday.
Words were exchanged and various players pushed as the visitors rubbed in their 32-0 win, reversing the 30-6 Warriors victory in round four.
Waerea-Hargreaves was sent to the sin bin for his role but Blair described the melees as little more than bravado.
"It's the heat of the battle and I guess you can do that when you're up 32-0 or whatever it was," Blair said.
"I think they were holding that in for a long time after what happened last time."
