Rugby: Dane Coles hooks in four year deal

Dane Coles of the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images.

All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has become the third player to commit long-term to New Zealand Rugby (NZR), with the front rower re-signing with the national union and the Hurricanes through to 2019.

The deal follows last week's announcement that his Hurricanes' teammate Julian Savea and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick had signed four-year deals with NZR.

28-year-old Coles said playing for the All Blacks and Hurricanes was all he'd ever wanted to do, and representing the two teams was still at the forefront of his mind.

"I'm definitely not at the stage where I want to head overseas yet. Both teams mean a huge deal to me and I really want to play for a club, and team, that I have that strong connection with.

"My family and friends are also close by which is still important to me, and so I'm just thankful for the opportunity both New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes have given me to stay on."

Coles said he liked the way the Hurricanes were heading at the moment, and wasn't ready to give up being a part of that just yet.

"We've got some awesome young guys coming through, so I'd really like to contribute in some way to help them reach their full potential for the club to continue on being successful."

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew said: "Coming on the back of Brodie and Julian's announcements, this is further great news for both the All Blacks and the Hurricanes and I want to congratulate and thank Dane for his ongoing commitment and loyalty to New Zealand. He is a world-class rugby player and a very important player for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks.

"His recommitment to New Zealand again reinforces the fact that, despite the attractions of overseas clubs, the New Zealand rugby environment still has a lot to offer, and the majority of our players still want to be part of it."

Other All Blacks who have committed to New Zealand Rugby beyond this year include Savea and Retallick (2019), 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 Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Smith, Augustine Pulu, Beauden Barrett, Luke Romano, TJ Perenara, Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipulotu (2016).