Wellington - Two experienced All Blacks together with three of the All Blacks' tall timber and a rising international front rower, have re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union through until the end of 2012, it was announced on Wednesday.
Senior players, centre Conrad Smith and loose forward Jerome Kaino, together with locks Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock and prop Ben Franks, have extended their contracts with the NZRU, adding to a nucleus of experience for the national side for the next few years.
The six players join a group of other leading players who have signed through until 2012, including experienced prop Tony Woodcock and scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan, loose forwards Kieran Read and Victor Vito, and backs Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden.
Kaino said: "I'm really enjoying my rugby at the moment here at home and I've still got a lot I want to achieve with Auckland, the Blues and, hopefully, the All Blacks.
"I've also got a young family as well and I'm loving being at home."
Smith said: "New Zealand is home and I love playing rugby here. I'm proud to play for Wellington, the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, and I'm looking forward to a few more years of professional rugby."
NZRU CEO Steve Tew said he was "delighted" the players had re-signed for several more years.
"We have now moved our focus beyond 2011 and the All Blacks and franchise coaches regard these players as very important members of their respective teams so it's great that they have re-committed to New Zealand rugby," he said.
"We feel we have got a fantastic professional rugby environment in New Zealand and many of our players agree. Having said that, we still work very hard to ensure that continues," Tew added.
Senior players, centre Conrad Smith and loose forward Jerome Kaino, together with locks Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock and prop Ben Franks, have extended their contracts with the NZRU, adding to a nucleus of experience for the national side for the next few years.
The six players join a group of other leading players who have signed through until 2012, including experienced prop Tony Woodcock and scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan, loose forwards Kieran Read and Victor Vito, and backs Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden.
Kaino said: "I'm really enjoying my rugby at the moment here at home and I've still got a lot I want to achieve with Auckland, the Blues and, hopefully, the All Blacks.
"I've also got a young family as well and I'm loving being at home."
Smith said: "New Zealand is home and I love playing rugby here. I'm proud to play for Wellington, the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, and I'm looking forward to a few more years of professional rugby."
NZRU CEO Steve Tew said he was "delighted" the players had re-signed for several more years.
"We have now moved our focus beyond 2011 and the All Blacks and franchise coaches regard these players as very important members of their respective teams so it's great that they have re-committed to New Zealand rugby," he said.
"We feel we have got a fantastic professional rugby environment in New Zealand and many of our players agree. Having said that, we still work very hard to ensure that continues," Tew added.