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All Blacks players renew Hurricanes deals

Hurricanes wing Ngani Laumape

New Zealand duo Ngani Laumape and Vaea Fifita are among four players to have signed new Hurricanes contracts.

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The Super Rugby champions have tied down former NRL player Laumape until 2019, while Fifita has committed to the club until 2020.

Matt Proctor has also agreed terms to stay in Wellington for the next two years, while Geoff Cridge has signed on for one year.

“Coming back to rugby union from rugby league in 2016 was a massive challenge, but the Hurricanes coaches have made the transition a lot easier and I’ve loved every minute,” said wing Laumape, who made his All Blacks debut in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions.

“The Hurricanes environment has really helped me develop my game and I can’t wait to continue that progress over the next two seasons.”

Fifita has one cap to his name, which came against Samoa last month, but was an unused member of the squad for the Lions tour.

He did, however, score a try for for his club side against Warren Gatland’s men.

The 25-year-old said: “I’ve learned so much since joining the Hurricanes in 2015 and I feel very lucky to have been part of the club over the past three years.

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“Representing the All Blacks was a dream come true and I’m thankful to the Hurricanes coaching staff for helping me realise my potential.

“I know I still have a long way to go and the Hurricanes is the right place for me to continue my career.”

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Nickers 37 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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