Carter re-signs contract till 2008

Thirteen present All Blacks, including star first five-eighths Daniel Carter, have re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Yesterday's announcement gives the NZRFU a solid player base for the 2007 World Cup, with 54 Super 14 players re-signing to date.

Carter, 23, has re-signed until 2008 while the bulk of the present All Blacks squad and Super 14 players have committed to the end of 2007 or beyond.

NZRFU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said the re-signing of Carter was a significant step.

The 13 present All Blacks who have re-signed are Carter, Rico Gear, Marty Holah, Doug Howlett, Campbell Johnstone, Byron Kelleher, Sione Lauaki, Ma'a Nonu, Anton Oliver, James Ryan, Kevin Senio, Ali Williams and Tony Woodcock.

The list includes 47 players whose contracts were due to expire this year and seven whose contracts were to expire in 2006 who have chosen to extend their contracts early.

The list also includes the return of former All Black Troy Flavell and another ex-international in Andrew Blowers who will play rugby in New Zealand again.

Blowers, 30, played 11 tests between 1996 and 1999 before heading overseas in 2000 to play for Northampton and, more recently, Japanese club Toyota Shoki.

"It is very pleasing to see top-quality players choosing to come back and contribute to New Zealand rugby," Tew said.

"Their decision shows that New Zealand is still considered an attractive option by players and reflects well on what New Zealand and rugby in this country has to offer."

Tew also paid tribute to those players who had decided not to renew their contracts with the NZRFU to pursue their rugby careers overseas.

"In the professional game we have New Zealanders playing rugby all over the world.

"We accept that the decision to move overseas is right for some players. It reflects a strong Kiwi tradition to spend time in another country and experience different cultures and environments."

Player signings

Luke Andrews, Josh Blackie, Neil Brew, Daniel Carter, Simms Davison, Vilimoni Delasau, Clarke Dermody, Steve Devine, Lome Fa'atau, Tim Fairbrother, Greg Feek, Ross Filipo, Taufa'ao Filise, Rico Gear, Scott Hamilton, Ben Herring, David Hill, Marty Holah, Doug Howlett, Campbell Johnstone, Jerome Kaino, Byron Kelleher, Ross Kennedy, Chris King, Sione Lauaki, Casey Laulala, Tasesa Lavea, Danny Lee, Johnny Leo'o, Scott Linklater, Aleki Lutui, Angus Macdonald, Joe McDonnell, Derek Maisey, Isa Nacewa, Ma'a Nonu, Jamie Nutbrown, Anton Oliver, Kristian Ormsby, Tony Penn, Caleb Ralph, Mark Ranby, James Ryan, Mahonri Schwalger, Kevin Senio, Jason Shoemark, Reuben Thorne, Neemia Tialata, Mose Tuiali'i, Sam Tuitupou, Brent Ward, Ali Williams, Tom Willis, Tony Woodcock.

Previous Super 12 players who have re-signed with the NZRFU:

Andrew Blowers, Troy Flavell, David Holwell.

- NZPA