All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has become the third player to commit long-term to New Zealand Rugby (NZR), with the front rower re-signing with the national union and his Investec Super Rugby team through to 2019.

The deal is further good news for NZR and follows last week's announcement that his Hurricanes' teammate Julian Savea and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick had signed four-year deals with NZR.

28-year-old Coles said playing for the All Blacks and Hurricanes was all he'd ever wanted to do, and representing the two teams was still at the forefront of his mind.

"I'm definitely not at the stage where I want to head overseas yet. 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.

"My family and friends are also close by which is still important to me, and so I'm just thankful for the opportunity both New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes have given me to stay on."

Coles said he liked the way the Hurricanes were heading at the moment, and wasn't ready to give up being a part of that just yet.

"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."

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew said:  "Coming on the back of Brodie and Julian's announcements, this is further great news for both the All Blacks and the Hurricanes and I want to congratulate and thank Dane for his ongoing commitment and loyalty to New Zealand.  He is a world-class rugby player and a very important player for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks.

"His recommitment to New Zealand again reinforces the fact that, despite the attractions of overseas clubs, the New Zealand rugby environment still has a lot to offer, and the majority of our players still want to be part of it."

Hurricanes forwards coach Richard Watt said having Coles sign on in New Zealand was a huge boost for both organisations.

"Colesy is an awesome signing for the Hurricanes and 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.

"He'll be part of a Hurricanes team that will hopefully kick on from this year and have some real success over the next few years, and there's no doubt his signing will be a huge part of that happening."

Dane Coles has cemented his position as first-choice hooker for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker with a series of impressive appearances for both teams. His strength, mobility and speed have helped to redefine the qualities required for a modern international front rower, with an ability to break through tackles and leave defenders flat footed. Hailing from the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington, Coles made his provincial debut for Wellington and national debut for New Zealand Under 21 in 2007 and his Super Rugby debut in 2009. He claimed the Hurricanes starting jersey in the 2012 season, turning in a series of performances that attracted the eye of the All Blacks selectors, who picked him for the year-end European Tour. He featured in all four matches, making his Test debut against Scotland in Edinburgh.  He has now played 27 Tests and scored two tries and made more than 75 appearances for the 'Canes.

Other All Blacks who have committed to New Zealand Rugby beyond this year include Savea and Retallick (2019), Jerome Kaino (2018), Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Malakai Fekitoa (2017) and Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Smith, Augustine Pulu, Beauden Barrett, Luke Romano, TJ Perenara, Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipulotu (2016).

The All Blacks: With a history extending back to the 1880s, New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks, is not only the most successful international rugby team of all time but also one of the most successful teams in world sport, with a winning Test record of more than 76 percent and a record of 90 percent since 2012. The All Blacks play European opponents every year in the Steinlager Series and again at the end of the year, and play Argentina, Australia and South Africa annually in the Investec Rugby Championship. The All Blacks were crowned Rugby World Cup Champions in 2011 to add to their Webb Ellis Cup win in the inaugural Tournament in 1987 and in 2013 became the first international team in the professional era to go through the season unbeaten. The team has been named World Rugby Team of the Year a record eight times.

Accolades are flowing for the All Blacks most capped centre and Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith, who has today confirmed he is leaving New Zealand rugby at the end of the 2015 season.

33-year-old Smith will join French club Pau on a two-year deal at the end of what will be his 12th season of professional rugby in New Zealand.

"I have loved my time playing rugby in New Zealand and really looking forward to what will be my last season here, but it feels like the right time for me move on and try something different.  Having a stint in France will allow me to spend more time as a husband and father, which was the main motivation for me when I made the decision," Smith said.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew said Smith exemplified everything that was great about the game of rugby.

"He is an outstanding person, one of New Zealand rugby's most consistent players over the last decade and hugely respected by all who know him. We owe Conrad, and others who have represented their teams so well over many years, a great deal of gratitude."

Tew said Smith's influence in rugby had also extended beyond the playing field.

"With his well-known background in law, Conrad has also been involved as a player representative in the Players' Collective negotiations for many years and has helped shape the current environment for all professional players.  He will also leave a great legacy in that regard. We all look forward to enjoying his last season with us and also look forward to his return to New Zealand."

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "On behalf of the All Blacks, I want to publicly acknowledge the outstanding contribution Conrad has made - and continues to make - to the All Blacks.  He is a world-class player and leader in our team and we look forward to that continuing this season. We in the All Blacks wish both Conrad and his wife all the very best for their new adventures next season."

Hurricanes Coach Chris Boyd added: "Conrad's been such a committed Hurricane and Wellington Lions player over a long period of time, and epitomises what a great team man should be. We're sad to see him go, but all good things must come to an end, and we certainly wish him well for the next stage of his life.

"There are not many players who have given 12 consecutive years of service to the same team, and we're grateful for everything Conrad has contributed to both the Wellington and Hurricanes set-ups. He'll always be a huge part of our history."

Conrad Smith - mini biography

Born in the Taranaki town of Hawera, Conrad Smith is the most capped All Blacks centre and eighth most capped All Black of all time and has so far pulled on the famous black jersey in 85 Tests (with 81 Test starts, 25 Test tries and 76 wins in his 85 Tests, for a winning percentage of 90 percent).  He is also the most capped Hurricanes player of all time with 110 appearances (21 tries) for the Super Rugby club.  A leader in both the All Blacks and Hurricanes, he is blessed with pace, anticipation, the ability to read a game and defensive nous, and is held in high regard by coaches, players and fans alike. Smith was a relatively late bloomer in rugby, making his first real mark as a 21-year-old in 2003 for the Old Boys-University club in Wellington and made his provincial debut for Wellington that year.  His Super Rugby debut the following year was cruelly cut short by injury but his immense potential and commanding performances later in the season saw him picked for the All Blacks year end tour to Europe.  In his All Blacks Test debut against Italy he scored with his first touch of the ball.  He became the most capped All Blacks centre in his 56th Test in 2012.

Chris Boyd and John Plumtree will reunite as Investec Super Rugby coaches in 2015 - this time on home soil.

The pair, who coached the Durban-based Sharks together in 2009 and 2010, have today been announced as the new coaching duo to lead the Hurricanes into next year’s campaign. 

Current Ricoh Wellington Lions coach, Boyd, will take up the head coach role, with Plumtree as his assistant.

Boyd said he was looking forward to the challenges that would come with his new appointment, both on and off the field.

“There has been a lot of hard work poured into the Hurricanes club over the past four years, and it’s now our job to build on that foundation,” he said.

“Our main focus is to create a brand of football that people find attractive to watch, and develop a team that people want to get behind.”

Boyd said that meant putting a huge emphasis on engaging with fans, sponsors, and the wider community to ensure the Hurricanes become more than just a team.

“The ultimate goal for us, the dream, is to fill that stadium again,” he said.

For Plumtree, the move back to Wellington means stepping away from his current international role as Ireland’s forwards coach. 

The 48-year-old said despite a number of years away from New Zealand, the passion he still held for the team that represents his home region contributed to his return.

“Coming from Taranaki, and after spending a lot of time in Wellington, I’ve always had a strong allegiance to the Hurricanes so to move to the club will be a nice homecoming.

“I’m extremely excited about reconnecting with Chris and building on our coaching relationship alongside what is, and always has been, a very talented group of players.”

Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni said the club’s focus had been on securing coaches with strong experience at a provincial, super, and international level, which he was excited to have achieved.

“Both Chris and John possess a great deal of coaching experience, while they are also both proud Hurricanes men with a passion for the region.

“This is a very exciting step for the Hurricanes and we’re thrilled to be announcing them as the men who will build on the strong work that has been done by the current coaching team. 

“Mark, Alama and their team have made a significant contribution which is extremely important to acknowledge as we look towards this exciting step for the Hurricanes.”

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen said he was excited about the value both Boyd and Plumtree would bring to the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby.

“Their skillsets complement each other greatly and we know they have worked successfully together in the past with the Wellington Lions and the Sharks. We are excited to see what this coaching duo will bring in 2015 and beyond.”

Both Boyd and Plumtree have signed two year contracts with the Hurricanes.

CHRIS BOYD

2012–present  / Ricoh Wellington Lions Head Coach
2013-2014 / New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach
2011-2012 / New Zealand Under 20 Assistant Coach
2011 / Tonga Rugby Union RWC Defence & Skills Coach
2009-2010 / Sharks Super Rugby Assistant Coach
2003-2006 / Wellington Lions Assistant Coach

JOHN PLUMTREE

2013 / Ireland Rugby Union Forwards Coach
2008 - 2013 / Sharks Super Rugby Head Coach 
2007 / Sharks Assistant Coach
2001–2006 / Wellington Lions Head Coach 
1997-2001 / Swansea Head Coach

Blues
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A total of 22 players have been given their first full Super Rugby contracts with one of the five New Zealand Investec Super Rugby squads for 2014.

Among the 185 players captured by franchises, are 25 players who have been named in the Wider Training Groups for the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders today.

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen congratulated all those named in Super Rugby squads today.

“We know that Investec Super Rugby is the world’s premier inter-provincial rugby competition which boasts the best rugby players in the world and the standard of rugby is really is outstanding.

“It is always an exciting time when players are named in Super Rugby squads.  This competition is obviously the shop floor for showcasing potential All Blacks talent so it’s a great achievement for those named for the first time today in a squad.  We are incredibly proud that New Zealand continues to produce such great talent," Sorensen said.

The wider squads include six from this year’s New Zealand Under 20 squad, and nine from the 2012 NZ Under 20 side.  They also feature five players who have played in Gordon Tietjens All Blacks Sevens’ squads over the last two years.

Tasman has produced much of the new talent for next year’s Super Rugby squads.  After winning their ITM Cup Championship Final and promotion into next year’s Premiership, the Tasman Makos today boast six new players who have trampolined into Super Rugby next year.

Among the Tasman selections are first five-eighth Marty Banks and halfback Billy Guyton (WTG) who have both been named with the Hurricanes.  Their Super Rugby picks follow a remarkable two years for the former Heartland Championship players.  Banks ran out for Buller and Guyton for North Otago in the 2012 Heartland Championship.

Their Makos teammates loose forward Liam Squire and winger James Lowe have both been picked into the Chiefs secured 32, while another Tasman loose forward Tevita Kolomatangi has been named in their Wider Training Group.

Tasman midfielder Kieron Fonotia returns to the Crusaders’ Wider Training Group.

Other new names to feature include Sam Prattley, Joe Edwards, Patrick Tuipulotu, Benji Marshall, Pita Ahki, Lolagi Visinia, Matt Symons, Ash Dixon, Mark Abbott, Hadleight Parkes, Cardiff Vaega, Mitchell Drummond, Kane Hames, Tom Franklin, TJ Ioane, Gareth Evans and Frae Wilson.

Among the talent borrowed from overseas are Argentinian prop Matias Diaz, and Fijian monster winger Nemani Nadolo.

For full squad player details click on the links below:

The Blues 2014 squad and WTG
The Chiefs 2014 squad and WTG
The Hurricanes 2014 squad and WTG
The Crusaders 2014 squad and WTG
The Highlanders 2014 squad and WTG

Unique jerseys designed for 2014 strips

As the 2014 squads were revealed, the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders together with apparel sponsor adidas, unveiled their new strips for 2014.

Developed in consultation with franchises, adidas today revealed new strips that reflect the unique culture and character of each team.

Quentin Bleakely, Country Manager for adidas New Zealand said:

“adidas is delighted to be behind every New Zealand team for 2013 and we’re looking forward to a New Zealand team retaining a strong grip on the Investec Super Rugby title in 2014.  We understand the depth of pride that players have in their jerseys and we’ve worked hard with the teams, their management and the wider community, to deliver five powerful statements for the coming season.”

Jersey design descriptions:

Blues
The Blues region boasts the largest Polynesian population, stunning landmarks and features that are immediately recognisable, such as volcanoes and sparkling waters.  The Blues wanted to acknowledge the connection between their people and their surroundings in the 2014 Super Rugby jersey, and worked with adidas and regional leaders to incorporate emblems that reflect the Pacific and the Blues region, including the sea, sky, frangipani, spears, nets and Rangitoto.

View the Blues' home and away jerseys

Chiefs
The back to back Investec Super Rugby champions took the development of their 2014 jersey very seriously.  The team met with renowned Māori designer and artist Dave Burke, and colleagues Luke Crawford and Wally Rifle, to create a jersey that truly embraced their pride, passion and empathy with the central North Island.  They worked closely with a group of Māori advisers, including the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, to ensure the designs used are appropriate and meaningful. 
The jersey design is centred on three main themes:
• Kotiate (central shape in black) are hand-held clubs used by chiefs in warfare;
• Awa (flowing yellow kowhaiwhai) are waterways which when combined into a single centralised flow become unstoppable;
• Ara Poutama (Red background) is the stairway to success urging players toward continued development and growth.

View the Chiefs' home and away jerseys

Hurricanes
The power and strength of the hurricane is captured in a vibrant yellow jersey – accented with black and blue, harking back to the original Super Rugby strip for the Hurricanes. Each of the provinces that feed into the team are represented on the inside of the jersey collar – ensuring that the players are reminded of their roots and the role that rugby plays in maintaining pride in the region.  There’s absolutely no doubt that the Hurricanes will be a force of nature to be reckoned with in 2014.

View the Hurricanes' home and away jerseys

Crusaders
The Crusaders are a champion team with a proud tradition of taking on all-comers and winning. For 2014, adidas and the Crusaders worked closely together to further develop their distinctive medieval theme by incorporating chain mail armour into the design of their jersey. Their unrelenting competitive drive to remain one of the strongest performers in the Investec Super Rugby competition is represented by wearing armour as they head into battle against their foes. 

View the Crusaders' home and away jerseys 

Highlanders
2014 sees the Highlanders embrace their Celtic roots, drawing on the determination and courage of the early settlers.  Working closely with the adidas design team, the players and management sought to express their passion and commitment to playing winning rugby in the South. The eight Celtic hoops represent the districts that make up the team that’s all heart.  The Highlanders are unquestionably the ‘Pride of the South’ and this motto is captured in the collar, calling out the zeal and valour indicative of the team and its people. 

View the Highlanders' home and away jerseys