Randell extends stay with Saracens

Former New Zealand rugby captain Taine Randell has extended his stay at English club Saracens.

He has taken up a third-year option on his contract with the premiership side, extending his stay with the club until early 2006.

"I still enjoy playing and that's why I have taken up the option of a third season here. I still believe we can achieve something, although I don't know what," said Randell, 30, who joined Saracens in 2003.

"As a club, we don't have the backing of a town like Bath and so it comes down to personal pride and I still have that.

"I wanted to make an impact here and, while it hasn't been in the way I had hoped so far, getting to a cup final this season wouldn't be a bad way of marking this season, would it?"

Saracens have not excelled in the premiership this season, sitting eighth of 12 teams after 13 matches.

"Our chances in the premiership are pretty awful in terms of claiming one of the top places, but we are in the last eight of the Powergen Cup and the European Challenge Cup and those competitions are important for us," Randell said.

Meanwhile, New Zealander Tony Marsh, 32, is not leaving France for Japan as speculated.

The powerful centre, who has beaten cancer to continue his international career with France, told L'Equipe newspaper he did not want to play in Japan.

His contract with French club Clermont Auvergne expires at the end of this season.

"If there is anything which I can say on my future, it is that I shall not going to play in Japan," Marsh, 32, said.

"I don't deny that I was contacted by a Japanese club, but, if there is a thing which I can say on my future, it is that I shall not going to play in Japan.

"For the rest, nothing is decided."

- NZPA