New Zealand

Cane staying in NZ for two more years

ESPN Staff

Sam Cane will stay in New Zealand for another two years © Getty Images Enlarge

The man considered the heir apparent to veteran All Blacks great Richie McCaw has committed to New Zealand Rugby until 2017. Impressive Chiefs flanker Sam Cane has joined the growing list of All Blacks signing multi-year deals in New Zealand.

Cane, 23, has played 22 Tests, half of them off the reserves bench. That ratio should improve from next year when captain McCaw is expected to retire, with Cane having emerged as a world class operator in the No.7 jersey. He won three trophies at the Chiefs' season-ending awards, including being named player of the year.

"I still have a lot of things I want to achieve in New Zealand rugby," he said. "I am still relatively young and still have a lot to learn about the game and plenty of room to grow as a player."

In his first year as All Blacks head coach, Steve Hansen named Cane in his squad ahead of a number of other strong candidates, citing the raw potential on offer.

"Sam is an exceptional young player who has worked very hard over the past few seasons and is now a key player in our group," Hansen said. "He is in the All Blacks leadership group which just shows how much respect the management and players have for him."

Cane has won two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs, a junior world championship gold medal and was New Zealand Rugby age grade player of the year in 2011.

In the last month, NZ Rugby has agreed long-term deals with All Blacks Julian Savea, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles and Wyatt Crockett.

© AAP