Six young All Blacks staying put

All Blacks Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Beauden Barrett, Dominic Bird and Matt Todd have all committed to New Zealand until 2016.

Scrumhalf Smith is the most experienced of the bunch, with 29 Test caps to his name, whilst Barrett has played in 19 Tests.

Three other players have extended their contracts through to the end of 2015 – the All Blacks most capped prop, 110-Test veteran Tony Woodcock, his 20-Test Blues front row teammate Charlie Faumuina and Crusaders back Tom Taylor (three Tests).

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "It's great news for the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby, especially with a large number of talented, young players re-committing to the country. It bodes well for the future."

The announcement is the latest in a number of key signings for New Zealand Rugby in recent times, with an ever-increasing list of players re-signing to New Zealand Rugby for the next few years.

All Blacks Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Samuel Whitelock and Aaron Cruden have all signed with New Zealand Rugby through to 2017, the same year the British and Irish Lions will tour New Zealand.

As well as the above, a number of current and recent All Blacks are also signed up, including hooker Dane Coles, lock Luke Romano and midfielder Sonny Bill Williams (all through to 2016).