Howlett and Williams among players to re-sign with Auckland

All Blacks Doug Howlett and Ali Williams are among of host of players coming off contract who have re-signed with the Auckland Rugby Football Union.

The union said today that winger Howlett and lock Williams had signed for another two years and were among 16 players who were staying put.

They included others with All Black experience in backs Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou and Steve Devine and forwards Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino and Brad Mika.

Auckland will lose one current All Black at the end of this season with fullback Mils Muliaina moving to Waikato for the next two years.

There had been speculation that Howlett and Waikato's All Black flanker could be leaving for overseas, but Howlett said today that Auckland was home for him. Holah has also re-signed, with his Waikato side, until the end of the 2007 season.

"The common thread for a lot of us is that this is home, this is where a lot our family and friends are," Howlett said.

"We all have experience of playing representative rugby and coming through the development system here. This is where it started for us, Auckland rugby."

Chief executive David White said the union was delighted with being able to retain the strength of its squad for the next few years.

He said the introduction of the new NPC premier division next year and a possible salary cap had made the professional rugby environment a challenging one.

"We've been given an indicative figure for a potential salary cap, but nothing has been confirmed," he said.

"We are working around that indicative figure."

Players coming off contract who have re-signed for Auckland:

Steve Devine (until end of 2008): Ben Atiga, Daniel Braid, Kurtis Haiu, Doug Howlett, Jerome Kaino, Tasesa Lavea, Brad Mika, Isaia Toe'ava, Sam Tuitupou, Brent Ward, Ali Williams (until end of 2007); Jamie Helleur, Taniela Moa, James Somerset, Semisi Telefoni (until end of next year).

- NZPA