Wednesday 12 July 2017 15:32, UK
A quartet of Hurricanes players including new All Blacks Ngani Laumape and Vaea Fifita have re-committed to the Wellington-based outfit.
Laumape and Fifita have joined midfielder Matt Proctor and lock Geoff Cridge in signing new deals with the reigning Super Rugby champions.
Laumape, who made his Test debut for New Zealand against the British and Irish Lions during the second Test earlier this month, and marked his first Test start with a try in the third, will remain with the Hurricanes for at least two more seasons.
"Coming back to rugby union from rugby league in 2016 was a massive challenge, but the Hurricanes coaches have made the transition a lot easier and I've loved every minute," Laumape said.
"The Hurricanes environment has really helped me develop my game and I can't wait to continue that progress over the next two seasons."
Fifita, who made his All Blacks debut off the bench against Samoa in Albany last month, echoed his team-mate's sentiments after extending his Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby contracts through to the end of the 2020 season.
"I've learned so much since joining the Hurricanes in 2015 and I feel very lucky to have been part of the club over the past three years," he said.
"Representing the All Blacks was a dream come true and I'm thankful to the Hurricanes coaching staff for helping me realise my potential.
"I know I still have a long way to go and the Hurricanes is the right place for me to continue my career."
Proctor, who has played 43 matches for the Hurricanes since his debut in 2013, has recommitted to the Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby for another two years, while 22-year-old lock forward Cridge penned a one-year extension.
Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd said he was looking forward to watching all four players continue to develop in coming seasons.
"We are very lucky to have some great talent at the club right now in a lot of different positions and to be able to lock players of the calibre of Ngani, Vaea, Matt and Geoff in for next year and beyond is great," said Boyd.
"All of these guys are in their early to mid-20s and that allows us to move forward with some real confidence as we look to build on the club's recent success."
