Dalton Papali'i signs long-term extension with New Zealand Rugby
Blues loose forward and All Black Dalton Papali'i has signed a new deal with New Zealand Rugby that will keep him in the country until the end of 2027.
He has re-committed to the Blues, where he captured a Super Rugby Pacific title this year, and the Counties Manukau province for the NPC where he has played since 2020.
Papali'i said it was an "easy decision" to remain home and sign an extension with NZR.
“I’m loving my footy right now at every level and home is where the heart is, so it was an easy decision to remain in New Zealand and run it back with the Blues next year,” Papali’i said.
“It’s great to have certainty about the next few years but right now my full focus is on the Rugby Championship and contributing to the All Blacks in 2024.”
The 26-year-old could become a Blues centurion over the next few years with 83 caps since his Super Rugby debut in 2018, while 50 All Blacks caps is in reach with the loose forward on 34 Test caps.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson hailed the versatility of Papali'i and expressed his pleasure at having secured him until the end of the next World Cup.
"Dalton is a world class loose forward who brings physicality and work rate on both sides of the ball and can play multiple positions,’’ Robertson said.
“He works hard every day in our environment and continues to grow as a leader and player. Having Dalton in New Zealand for the next three years is a great result.”
Latest Comments
What do you achieve? If the ABs wn by 30 is it the new 10? Would that new 10 then suddenly thrive v SA or Ireland? Its a silly theory. Play DM at 10, BB at 15 and WJ on the wing. Win test 1 very well and then make changes.
Go to commentsWe are not scared with a kiwi as our coach. We just accept he's going to sabotage us for as long he can milk it, then scurry back to NZ, oh wait he's already there, with his forty pieces of silver.
To us it's just irrelevant what happens to the Wallabies when a foreigner is undermining us from within as coach. The Tahs get a few of their hopeless pets selected and Australian rugby sinks further. It's no big deal. We have seen this with Deans and Rennie and Tah coaches. It's just more of the same.
We just live in hope we get a proper Australian coach one day so we can get behind him and the team. And that the All Blacks keep sinking too .......
Go to comments