Fourteen current and recent All Blacks have re-committed to New Zealand rugby by extending their national contracts.
The list of signings for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) include the key signatures of centre Conrad Smith and fellow outside backs Israel Dagg and Ma'a Nonu, the All Blacks most capped prop Tony Woodcock, fellow front rower Andrew Hore, lock Sam Whitelock and loose forward Kieran Read.
Smith, Dagg and Woodcock join scrum-halves Piri Weepu and Aaron Smith, loose forward Victor Vito and hooker Hikawera Elliot, who have all signed through to 2014, while prop Ben Franks has signed through to 2015. Nonu, Whitelock and Read join locks Ali Williams and Anthony Boric in signing through to 2013.
Conrad Smith, the All Blacks most capped centre, is in his ninth year of professional rugby:
"I love playing my footy here so was keen to extend my contract again," said the centre.
" Given my number of years in the game, I was impressed with the way the whole process was handled and I look forward to the next few years in New Zealand."
The players join an impressive group of 2012 and recent All Blacks who have re-committed to New Zealand rugby, including captain Richie McCaw, vice-captain Daniel Carter, props Owen Franks and Wyatt Crockett, hookers Keven Mealamu and Corey Flynn, locks Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano, loose forwards Liam Messam and Sam Cane, inside backs Andy Ellis, Aaron Cruden, Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett and outside backs Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison, Zac Guildford and Richard Kahui.
We are delighted that a number of players have re-signed with New Zealand rugby for the immediate future," said All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen.
"I would like to congratulate the NZRU and the staff on their hard work in achieving that. Having that experience available will be essential in building this team beyond where it is at the moment and gives us confidence in going forward."
NZRU CEO Steve Tew added: "The number of key players recommitting shows that we have an attractive environment in New Zealand that players want to remain part of and we have worked very hard to achieve that."
Comments
side_stepper says...
New undefeated streak, anyone??
Posted 09:14 30th October 2012
davodiablo says...
hellovanite I agree . Switching to play club rugby in another country is fine by me . Switching between countries is another matter and its not clear cut . There are situations I'm comfortable with and others I'm not . Most of us I feel draw the line in roughly the same place. Born , raised or at least playing schoolboy rugby is ok so long as the school hasn't gone out fishing.Everything else just seems fake.
Posted 12:41 29th October 2012
hellovanite says...
astrospange..."It's a competitive world and rugby players are commodities / free agents and can go where they please." While that is a very fair statement we are not talking about playing for clubs here. International teams should only be serviced by players who are either born in that country or moved there pre-teen. Otherwise international rugby becomes a complete farce. I feel the most for Argentina as they have been fairly raped by the NH
Posted 05:04 29th October 2012
kpe12 says...
Conrad is no frills, but is easily the most consistent centre of the last 5 years. Fantastic rugby brain and one of the few mid fielders who understand the simple concepts of run straight, draw and pass and hold your position.
There's a reason he has one of the highest winning %ages of international rugby.
Posted 03:28 29th October 2012
paulynz says...
@Spartacus
Most capped yes. Whether he's the best centre that New Zealand has had is a matter of personal preference really.
New Zealand has been blessed with some great centres. Tana Umaga, Frank Bunce, Joe Stanley, Bruce Roberts, legends all...
I remember an interview with Tana Umaga when he first moved in from wing to centre. He said that he was humbled to even be mentioned in the same breath as the great centres Buncie and Joe Stanley.
Posted 17:36 28th October 2012
boksmashoffice says...
Wanting to plays for ones country is the ultimate honor and you cannot put a price on that. Some really good players have re signed. The poaching of players needs tyo be addressed by the IRB by changing the criteria and classifying u'16 representation as making your bed with that country. That has to be made clear to the boys beore earning their first cap.
Posted 09:09 28th October 2012
Kiwikev says...
Agreed Pauly as it is the player's choice; we are just very fortunate that talented players in NZ value the jersey and the chance to win a RWC in 2015!
Posted 08:53 28th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
he humble nature of conrad smith is amazing. for the greatest outside centre of the modern era to just think of it all "playing my footy". brilliant. what a man.
Posted 08:14 28th October 2012
astrospange says...
It's a competitive world and rugby players are commodities / free agents and can go where they please.
Posted 07:22 28th October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Players will leave especially if they don't get their perceived shot at the big time! Been involved with premiere club & ITM cup level rugby players & have definitely witnessed a change in the mindset of the younger players come though. If they are not in the top echelon of their age group,or see their progress stalled by other better players!.then they will leave (i done the same)..Australia is particularly attractive as it close they get looked after & possibly they will have expat family/friends there! Unfortunately this is the realities of professional rugby.
Posted 03:18 28th October 2012
passtheball says...
If the rules allow it and the players are keen then there is no stopping them. What player wouldn't want to play Int football, whichever country, if his path to his national side is blocked by better or more favoured players. It can become a farce like all the Kenyans running for different countries at the Olympics.
Posted 01:07 28th October 2012
Spartacus says...
Is Conrad Smith really the most capped NZ centre?!?!?!
Unbelievable - I can think of many great AB centres, and Smith just isnt on the list.
Posted 23:18 27th October 2012
paulynz says...
@jmanngod
I don't know of any of those (established youth players) so I can't really comment.
Posted 22:41 27th October 2012
jmanngod says...
Contracts Pauly yes... but the blatant poaching of established youth players from NZ into overseas national set-ups is a bit galling...
Posted 22:20 27th October 2012
paulynz says...
This paragraph was included in a similar article on stuff.co.nz
"The NZRU will never compete with lucrative overseas salaries, but the power of the black jersey continues to retain the majority of New Zealand's best players and justify the All Blacks' strict home-grown selection policy."
I have no arguments or complaints at all about good New Zealand players taking up contracts to play outside of New Zealand.
Posted 21:16 27th October 2012