All Black trio Jane, Dagg, Romano re-sign with NZRU

AFP
February 14, 2014, 8:47 am


Wellington (AFP) - All Blacks Cory Jane, Israel Dagg and Luke Romano have all signed contract extensions keeping them with the national team beyond the 2015 World Cup, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said Friday.

Lock Romano has signed on until 2016, while outside backs Dagg and Jane will stay until 2017, when the British and Irish Lions are due to tour New Zealand.

The NZRU wants to avoid a player exodus after the All Blacks defend the World Cup in England next year, and chief executive Steve Tew said the signings were a positive step.

"We are now developing a core of players who are committing to New Zealand rugby beyond next year's Rugby World Cup, which bodes well for the future," he said.

"We are well aware that our players have options to play overseas, but the fact that they have re-committed to New Zealand is fantastic."

Other top All Blacks on long-term deals include Kieran Read, Ben Smith and Sam Whitelock (all 2017), as well as Dane Coles and returning rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams (both 2016).

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