All Blacks star’s ‘no place I’d rather be’ pledge as he commits for Rugby World Cup and more
Cortez Ratima signs contract extension through to the end of 2028.
All Blacks and Chiefs scrum-half Cortez Ratima has pledged his future to New Zealand Rugby by signing a new deal that keeps him in the country until the end of 2028.
The product of Hamilton Boys High School has played 38 matches for Waikato and 60 for the Chiefs thus far, this after making his club bow against the Crusaders in 2022.
21-cap All Blacks half-back Ratima admits it was an easy decision to extend with the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby, especially following the recent birth of his second son.
Stable home life
“I have a new baby at home and being in one place and having a stable home life is good for our family,” he said.
As mentioned, the scrum-half made his Super Rugby bow back in 2022 and two years later he played his first international for New Zealand, against England, at Eden Park.
Ratima said with the Rugby World Cup edging closer, competing for a place in the All Blacks was a motivator and also cited his enjoyment of the atmosphere at the Chiefs.
“I love this club and how they have supported me and my family,” he explained. “I am loving what Jono and the other coaches are doing and there’s no place I’d rather be.”
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Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes is delighted that Ratima is staying with the club and believes it is “terrific” that he has seen a bright future at the Super Rugby Pacific side.
“It’s great to have a player of Cortez’s ability stick with us. It shows his faith in what we are doing and where we are heading, which is terrific,” he said.
“It’s also a reflection on the culture we have here at the club.
“Cortez is a talented young man and it is exciting to know he and his whānau will be a part of the Gallagher Chiefs for another three years, at least.”
All Black battle
Ratima was part of the All Blacks squad for the Autumn Nations Series alongside Cam Roigard and Finlay Christie as then-head coach Scott Robertson’s scrum-half picks.
The Chiefs man will therefore hope to retain that place under Robertson’s replacement and fend off challenges of Noah Hotham and Xavier Roe before gaining more caps.
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Ratima, currently on paternity leave, is likely to return to Super Rugby Pacific action in the near future, with his Chiefs side currently sitting in third position on the table.
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