New Zealand rugby
Chiefs trio recommit to New Zealand
August 20, 2013
The Chiefs' Liam Messam celebrates their Super Rugby win, Chiefs v Brumbies, Super Rugby, Super Rugby final, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, August 3, 2013
Backrower Liam Messam will vie for a third consecutive Super Rugby title with the Chiefs © Getty Images
Enlarge

Chiefs and All Blacks stars Liam Messam, Sam Cane and Tawera Kerr-Barlow have all committed to New Zealand and the Chiefs for further two years.

The trio have all signed with New Zealand Rugby through to the 2015 IRB World Cup.

Messam, 29, who co-captained the Chiefs to their second consecutive Super Rugby title this year, says it was an easy decision.

"It was the right time and place for my family to stay. I love playing my rugby for the Chiefs as well as the All Blacks and there is no other place I'd want to be right now than here in New Zealand."

Cane, 21, and Kerr-Barlow, 23, said they were proud Chiefs and wanted to continue learning from their team-mates and coaching staff.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said all three had been impressive All Blacks.

"The three players are outstanding men all in their own right and all bring something special to the group," he said. "Liam is a natural leader and key member of the All Blacks, while Sam and Tawera have also impressed us since coming into the All Blacks in the past two years."

Meanwhile, All Blacks winger Julian Savea has revealed that the Crusaders are trying to tempt him from the Hurricanes for next year's Super 15 season.

The 23-year-old was reluctant to discuss the issue ahead of New Zealand's Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Wellington on Saturday.

"I'm keeping my options open but just concentrating on footy right now," he told reporters.

© AAP

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.