All Black Sam Cane has signed a long-term contract with NZ Rugby that will see the incumbent captain remain at home through 2025.
The 29-year-old has confirmed a new four-year deal that will gives him the option of taking a sabbatical from New Zealand rugby in 2024 - playing or non-playing.
Cane says the decision to commit his future to NZR was an "easy" one.
"My passion for the game, whether it's playing for the All Blacks, Chiefs or Bay of Plenty, is as strong as when I started playing." Cane says. "It was an easy decision for me to extend my contract, and my wife Harriet and I are excited about what the future holds.
"I'm now looking forward to spending summer with my family and friends, and coming back ready go to again in 2022."
Cane became Ian Foster's first All Blacks captain, before COVID-19 interrupted the 2020 campaign, but an injury curtailed much of his 2021 season, with Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea leading the side in his absence.
Cane joined their northern tour, but Whitelock retained the captaincy.
The Chiefs loose forward has played 77 tests in the black jersey, 126 Super Rugby matches and 21 provincial games for Bay of Plenty, and turned out for King Country earlier this year to help regain fitness before his international return.
"He's an instrumental part of the All Blacks leadership group in his role as captain and I know that following a year in which he missed a lot of rugby with his significant injury, he is fully committed to being at his very best in 2022 and beyond, which is exciting," Foster says.
"We're delighted for him and Harriet."
