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Uncapped All Blacks lock inks new deal to stay in New Zealand through to 2023
By Sam Smith
Uncapped All Blacks lock Quinten Strange has extended his contract with the Crusaders to keep him in New Zealand until 2023.
The 24-year-old has made a name for himself as an impressive figure at the Christchurch franchise since making his Super Rugby debut in 2017.
Emerging as one of the most promising young locks in New Zealand, Strange was named as one of seven new caps in Ian Foster's first-ever All Blacks squad last year, despite missing a large part of the Super Rugby season due to injuries.
However, an ankle injury robbed him of a test debut, with fellow uncapped Crusaders teammate Mitchell Dunshea called into the squad as Strange's replacement.
In addition to his 30 Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders, Strange also has 43 Mitre 10 Cup matches to his name after debuting for the Tasman Mako as a 19-year-old in 2016.
The Takaka-born product since went on to play leading roles in Tasman's back-to-back provincial titles in 2019 and 2020.
By re-signing to the Crusaders, Strange joins a growing nucleus of key players re-committing themselves to the reigning Super Rugby Aotearoa champions leading into the 2023 World Cup in France.
All Blacks duo and fellow locks Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock are among those who are also contracted with the franchise for another two years, as are loose forwards Cullen Grace and Tom Christie.
Midfield partners Braydon Ennor and Jack Goodhue and utility back David Havili are also signed on through until 2023.
Others, including star playmaker Richie Mo'unga, outside backs Will Jordan and George Bridge, All Blacks prop Joe Moody and Irish prop Oli Jager, are all on the Crusaders' books until next season.
Strange could make his first outing for the Crusaders since signing his new contract extension this Friday when his side take on the Highlanders in a pre-season fixture in Temuka.
The South Island rivals will then open the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on February 26.
Crusaders players signed beyond this season
2022: Oli Jager, Joe Moody, Richie Mo'unga, George Bridge, Will Jordan.
2023: Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, David Havili.
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Latest Comments
The first half penalties against NZ were for speculative tackling because England were attacking so flat. If NZ didn't do this then it may have been tries and not penalties conceded earlier. I believe Felix Jones is still helping with the transition online. It was quite clear he wasn't helping in person with Earls in particular shooting up and leaving huge holes. NZ had a few that nearly stuck but the two tries by Telea were defensive errors. Furbank biting on Sititi leaving Genge to mark. Genge wont show Telea the outside again. Poor tacking on Telea for the second. That said he is a hard man to grab hold of.
Isolating Genge was clever for Jordans try. NZ spotted he defended wide too often and they could leave a gap with that switch play. 6 day turnaround for Ireland now.
I imagine NZ will be better, but they will need to be a lot better.
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