Lock Brodie Retallick and winger Julian Savea have signed long-term contracts with New Zealand Rugby, helping stem the tide of player departures which will follow this year's World Cup.
The 24-year-old Savea, who has scored 30 tries in 33 tests, and 23-year-old Retallick, who was World Rugby Player of the Year last season, have both signed until 2019, New Zealand Rugby said Wednesday.
NZR chief executive Steve Tew said the signing of Savea and Retallick was "a very significant announcement."
"We know our players have choices so to have them commit long-term to New Zealand Rugby is very pleasing," he said.
New Zealand will lose a number of senior All Blacks to clubs in Europe and Japan after the World Cup in October. Of greater concern is that it is now losing players at a much younger age.
In the past players have tended to quit New Zealand Rugby at the end of their international careers, choosing a World Cup as a swansong. A more recent trend has seen players leave earlier and with many years to run of potential test careers; others leaving without pursuing All Blacks selection.
Savea and Retallick were both too young to play in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand which was won by the All Blacks and have cited a desire to play in multiple World Cups as one of their reasons for signing long-term contracts. This year's Cup in Britain will be their first and they now have the chance to play in the 2019 Cup in Japan.
"I am only young and still have plenty to learn about the game," Retallick said. "There is a lot I want to achieve and I firmly believe that New Zealand is the best place for me to grow my game and accomplish my goals."
Savea said the decision to remain in New Zealand was an easy one to make.
"There are still a lot of things I want to achieve in New Zealand rugby and I love playing for both the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, love the jerseys, want to continue to grow as a player and help both teams succeed and add to the legacy," he said.
In signing new contracts, Savea and Retallick join leading All Blacks including backrower Kieran Read, prop Owen Franks, lock Sam Whitelock, fullbacks Ben Smith and Israel Dagg and flyhalf Aaron Cruden who have all signed until 2017.
Centre Sonny Bill Williams, flyhalf Beauden Barrett, scrumhalves Aaron Smith and T.J. Perenara, and hooker Dane Coles are among players who have signed through 2016.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.