Rugby: Retallick and Savea re-sign till 2019

A desire to play in multiple World Cups is behind the decision by both Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2019.

An announcement the pair had officially inked long-term deals was made late this morning. Both made their All Blacks debut alongside each in 2012 and are seen as key members of the side, especially given the amount of experienced players who will be unavailable after this year's World Cup.

Retallick was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year last year, capping a remarkable rise for the rugged lock.

He played for New Zealand Under 20 at the 2011 Junior World Championships, making his Super Rugby and All Blacks debut the following year and has now clocked up 36 tests and more than 50 Super Rugby caps.

Savea first made an international impact in the New Zealand Under 20 side (winning Junior Player of the Year in 2010) and All Blacks sevens before announcing his arrival on the test stage by scoring three tries on debut against Ireland in 2012. The wing has now racked up 30 tries in 33 tests as well as 29 tries in more than 60 appearances for the Hurricanes.

Retallick said his ambition to play in back-to-back Rugby World Cups was a big motivator to remain in New Zealand.

"I am only young and still have plenty to learn about the game," he said. "There is a lot I want to achieve and I firmly believe that New Zealand is the best place for me to grow my game and accomplish my goals. I have access to the best coaches in the world, play in teams with great lads and great environments and am really enjoying my footy."

Savea said the decision to re-sign was, ultimately, an easy one to make.

"There are still a lot of things I want to achieve in New Zealand rugby and I love playing for both the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, love the jerseys, want to continue to grow as a player and help both teams succeed and add to the legacy.

"I love the environment in both teams and the fact that a bunch of Hurricanes boys play for the All Blacks as well just makes it even better. We just want to play well for the team, for ourselves and for our fans."

Retallick and Savea are the first players to re-sign with NZR and their respective Super Rugby clubs through to the end of the 2019 season.

"This is a very significant announcement for New Zealand Rugby," NZR chief executive Steve Tew said. "Brodie and Julian represent a big part of the future for us and we are delighted to have them sign for four more years.

"We know our players have choices, so to have them commit long-term to New Zealand Rugby is very pleasing, and I want to thank them both for their commitment to New Zealand.

"It's an exciting period for rugby in this country and they will now be part of some very important events, including the revamped Super Rugby competition from next year, the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2017 and Rugby World Cup 2019."

Tew also said that, as with other long-term contracted players, NZR and the players' representatives had agreed terms which would ensure the players' workloads were managed appropriately, but added that there were no extended breaks to play overseas or long-service leave in the contracts.

Savea and Retallick join a raft of current All Blacks who have re-signed beyond this year, including Jerome Kaino (2018), Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Malakai Fekitoa (2017) and Dane Coles, Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Luke Romano, TJ Perenara, Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipulotu (2016).