Dane Coles has signed a new four-year contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes, the All Blacks hooker saying he is "not at the stage where I want to head overseas yet". The deal eclipses his previous contract that was set to expire at the end of 2016.

"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," Coles said. "My family and friends are also close by which is still important to me." Coles' deal mirrors that of two other key All Blacks - Julian Savea and Brodie Retallick - who recommitted to New Zealand last week for the same tenure.

Dane Coles has committed his long-term future to New Zealand © Getty Images

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Coles has become an important member of the Test team after the retirement of Andrew Hore and the waning powers of Keven Mealamu. The next tier of hookers are relatively inexperienced, with a number of young contenders vying for the third spot at this year's World Cup behind first-choice Coles and Mealamu.

Coles begun playing for Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup in 2007, the Hurricanes in Super Rugby two years later, and he made four replacement appearances for the All Blacks on their season-ending tour of Europe in 2012. He was largely a back-up Test option in 2013 before claiming first-choice status last year.

Coles has played 76 games for the Hurricanes, returning to action with the runaway Super Rugby 2015 leaders recently after missing six games with elbow and calf injuries. "We've got some awesome young guys coming through, so I'd really like to contribute in some way to help them reach their full potential for the club to continue on being successful."

Hurricanes forwards coach Richard Watt says Coles decision to commit his future is a major boost for New Zealand Rugby. "It's also a great reward for a guy who's put in a lot of hard work to get where he is as the number one hooker in the country."