Hooker Coles re-signs with All Blacks to 2019

Hooker Dane Coles on Friday became the third New Zealander to sign on with the All Blacks until the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said.

Coles, 28, inked a four-year contract similar to those announced last week for lock Brodie Retallick and winger Julian Savea.

Under the deal, Coles will also stay with the Wellington Hurricanes Super 15 club.

“I’m definitely not at the stage where I want to head overseas yet,” he said. 

“Both teams mean a huge deal to me and I really want to play for a club, and team, that I have that strong connection with.”

The All Blacks face a talent exodus after this year’s World Cup in England and are keen to sign players onto long-term contracts. – Agence France-Presse