Taylor targets Super Rugby title after signing long-term NZ Rugby deal

Codie Taylor is determined to celebrate signing a new long-term New Zealand Rugby contract by inspiring Crusaders to a first Super Rugby title for nine years.

The hooker on Friday became the first All Black to commit to the world champions until 2021 on the back of starting all three Tests in the drawn series with the British and Irish Lions.

Taylor, who has won 19 caps, had no doubts about remaining in his homeland as he eyes glory for club and country.

“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.

“I am grateful to everyone who has shown faith in me and allowed me to get this far with my rugby career, and I want to continue repaying them by playing the best rugby I can here in New Zealand for a while yet.”

Taylor will have a key role to play when Crusaders attempt to beat Lions in their own backyard in Saturday’s Super Rugby final and the 26-year-old is relishing the challenge.

“They’re a good team and they went to their strengths in that second half [of the semi-final] and kept the Hurricanes guessing and it paid off for them so for us it is about playing the game we’ve been playing all year.” he said.

“We like to apply pressure in different areas and hopefully we can exploit a few of theirs. It’s going to be an 82-minute game, it’s not going to go 80, it’s probably going to go longer than that.

“We’ve just got to be prepared for anything and work really hard to get the job done.”