Some players hope to thrive during inflammatory situations when pressure mounts at the height of the battle on the rugby field but you won't catch Abbott shaping up to engage in a fisticuff or sneaking an uppercut in a scrum, ruck or maul.
If one is looking for indicators of common sense from Abbott then his religious use of headgear is an affirmation of that.
He's the kind of bloke who is more likely to be walking into the eye of the storm to break up the rumble.
"There's no need for it," he says, mindful programmes such as Smash 'Em Bro on Prime TV's The Crowd Goes Wild highlights and accentuates physicality. "People come to watch rugby, not watch players fight."
That's the sort of placid demeanour Abbott will pack into his suitcase when he joins Hurricanes teammates Motu Matu'u and Ambrose Curtis to jet off to Vanuatu tomorrow morning from Auckland.
The Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise is helping promote an anti-violence programme in the Pacific Islands for the sixth consecutive year.
The Canes trio will help deliver the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme's Break the Silence, End the Violence message.
That message comes on the heels of more than 60 New Zealand rugby players who have campaigned across Guam, the Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga.
As a joint initiative between the New Zealand Aid programme, New Zealand Police, and police from the five Pacific Island nations, the players will work with young men and women in Vanuatu, as well as share their passion for rugby through coaching and skills sessions.
He is looking forward to the challenge of spreading the gospel of assertive behaviour, especially to children.
"I'll be speaking to different people who I'm told are really friendly and learning a little about their culture," Abbott says, seeing it as an opportunity to grow outside his comfort zone.
A former Canterbury Colts representative, Abbott has signed for the Magpies' ITM Cup Championship campaign next year.
"I enjoyed the last season despite not getting over the last hurdle," he says, keen to return to help defend the Ranfurly Shield and attend to some unfinished business that will gain the Magpies promotion to the Premiership after they lost to the Manawatu Turbos in the final last month.
Resting his weary body, Abbott is thankful he hasn't picked up any serious injuries.
With the Canes camp hitting full throttle late this month, he feels the rest and recreation now will stand him in good stead for his second Super Rugby season.
Hurricanes personal-development manager Steve Symonds says the anti-violence message is one that is close to the players' hearts.
"Rugby is a hard game and you have to be tough on the field but the message is that there is a time and place to be aggressive and that is not at home with your family.
"The players are particularly looked up to by young men and boys, and it's these kids we want to reach with that message."
Symonds says part of the professional rugby environment is also to help the personal development of players so they can make a transition to a good working life after their rugby career.
"They are required to speak publicly, coach, inspire, lead themselves and others, plan, adapt to new cultures, and they are educated on the issue of domestic violence. We see great growth and development in the players who complete these trips."
Liaki Moli (Blues), Timo Tutavaha (Taranaki), Onosai Auva'a (Auckland), James McGougan (Chiefs) and New Zealand age-group hockey player Matthew Symonds will join the campaign.
Last year the programme won the NZ Rugby Players' Association Off the Field achievement award.
