Sam Cane signs new contract with New Zealand Rugby

New Zealand star Sam Cane has signed a new long-term contract which commits him to the All Blacks and domestic rugby in his homeland until the age of 33.

As a result of committing his long-term future to New Zealand and the Chiefs Cane will be out of reach for big-spending French clubs until 2025 although his new deal is reported to include the option of taking a 2024 break from Super Rugby.

The back-rower made his international debut for New Zealand in 2012 against Ireland and has since gone on to make 77 Test appearances. He is line to appear at a third World Cup in 2023 having cumulatively appeared in 12 games when his country lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham in 2015 then at Japan 2019 when the All Blacks exited at the semi-final stage at the hands of England.

The 29-year-old was appointed captain of his country when current boss Ian Foster replaced Steve Hansen as head coach at the end of the 2019 World Cup.

“My passion for the game, whether it’s playing for the All Blacks, Gallagher Chiefs or Bay of Plenty, is as strong as when I started playing, so it was an easy decision for me to extend my contract, and my wife Harriet and I are excited about what the future holds,” Cane told the Chiefs’ website.

“I’m now looking forward to spending summer with my family and friends, and coming back ready go to again in 2022.”

Cane, who has has played 126 times for the Chiefs, made his provincial rugby debut with Bay of Plenty as an 18-year-old in 2010. His first Chiefs game in Super Rugby came the following year.

All Blacks head coach Foster confirmed how pleased he is to have secured the long-term services of his captain.

“He’s an instrumental part of the All Blacks leadership group in his role as captain and I know that following a year in which he missed a lot of rugby with his significant injury, he is fully committed to being at his very best in 2022 and beyond, which is exciting, he said."