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All Blacks, Chiefs halfback Brad Weber extends contract with New Zealand Rugby

By Online Editors
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

All Black and Chiefs halfback Brad Weber has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Chiefs for another year.

The 29-year-old debuted for the Chiefs in 2014. Since his Super Rugby debut, the quick-thinking halfback has earned higher honours including an All Blacks call-up for an historic match against Samoa in 2015.

He currently has seven test caps and has also represented the Maori All Blacks seven times since 2015.

Weber said he was looking forward to returning for to the Chiefs in the new year.

“I’m really excited to be back with my Chiefs teammates for another season. My seven years to date with the team have been the most enjoyable I’ve had, and I look forward to carrying that on in 2021,” he said.

“Whilst the lure of overseas offers were present, I feel we have a fantastic squad shaping up here at the Chiefs and I have no doubt we will be successful.

“I’m here and committed to contributing to that success in a big way. I can hear the cowbells ringing and the huge cheers at FMG Stadium Waikato in my head already, so I look forward to seeing all our fans there next year.”

NZR general manager of professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum applauded Weber’s ongoing commitment to New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs.

“Brad’s only played for one Super Rugby team and will be heading into his eighth season with the Chiefs, which is a great effort and a reflection of his loyalty and dedication.

“He’s made a big contribution to rugby on and off the field and will no doubt continue to do so in 2021 with his exciting brand of rugby.”

https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1333158653197656064

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said Weber’s experience was invaluable.

“Brad is an integral part of our Chiefs squad. Brad is a hard-working team man and has been a standout performer for the Chiefs. It is great to have him back next year and we know he will once again be a key contributor for our team.”

The sentiment has been echoed by Chiefs Rugby Club CEO Michael Collins.

“We are thrilled Brad has re-committed to the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby for our 2021 campaign. Brad is a great man and has been a fantastic contributor for the club since his debut in 2014.

“We know our fans will be excited to see him back in action in next year’s Super Rugby competitions.”

The 2021 Chiefs squad will be officially announced on Thursday 3 December.

– Chiefs Rugby

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J
Jon 9 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

This is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?

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