New Zealand, Crusaders and Canterbury hooker Codie Taylor has become the first All Black to sign a deal with New Zealand Rugby until 2021.
26-year-old Taylor, who's currently in South Africa with the Crusaders preparing for the 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 told the All Blacks website.
"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."
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "It's exciting knowing that Codie has re-signed through to 2021, the first of our group to extend his contract that far. He's an outstanding young hooker and a key part of the future of the All Blacks so we congratulate him and his partner Lucy on the decision.
"Codie's worked hard and made outstanding progress since coming into the group in 2015, he's taken his opportunities when they have come and really showed in his three starts in the recent Lions Series that he has the skillset and temperament to play at a world-class level."
Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson describes Taylor as a uniquely skilled player and great team man.
"You could put Codie pretty much anywhere on the field and he would perform his roles brilliantly," he said. "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.
"His unassuming nature and always positive attitude make him an absolute pleasure to coach and to have in the team environment.
"We have just celebrated Codie’s 50th Crusaders game, and with his re-signing to 2021 we will hopefully get to enjoy at least another 50 more."
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