Key All Black remains committed to New Zealand

Codie Taylor has become the first All Black to sign a long-term contract with New Zealand Rugby, extending his contract through to 2021.

26-year-old Taylor, who’s currently in South Africa with the Crusaders preparing for this weekend's Super Rugby Final against the Lions, said re-signing with New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby was the best decision for him and his family.

“I feel like I am living the dream at the moment, raising my young family here in New Zealand and playing for these teams that I love, so recommitting through to 2021 just makes sense for me.” Taylor said.

The hooker has had a major role to play in the All Blacks this year, with regular starter Dane Coles sidelined with injury for the British & Irish Lions series. Taylor started all three tests, and scored a try in the first.

Born and raised in Levin, Taylor started his professional rugby career with Canterbury in 2012, after being part of the New Zealand Under 20 team which won the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship. He joined the Crusaders in 2013, with an impressive 2014 season following that resulted in selection for the Maori All Blacks. He made his All Black debut in 2015, following in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather, 1893 All Black Walter Pringle. He was part of the All Blacks' World Cup winning squad that year.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said: “You could put Codie pretty much anywhere on the field and he would perform his roles brilliantly.  He’s blessed with natural strength, speed and skills, but he works as hard as anyone to ensure he is at his best every time he takes the field."

Taylor is the first All Black to commit through to 2021. Samuel Whitelock, All Blacks Vice-Captain Ben Smith and Anton Lienert-Brown are signed through to 2020, while All Blacks Captain Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, Julian Savea, Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams, Joe Moody, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Nathan Harris, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Squire, Liam Coltman and Ngani Laumape have all inked deals through to 2019.