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Both Super Rugby Pacific finalists re-sign All Blacks

Cortez Ratima. (Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)

Both the Crusaders and Chiefs have re-signed All Blacks and All Blacks XV players for the 2024 season.

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The Chiefs announced on Friday new contracts for halfbacks Cortez Ratima and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. Xavier Roe completes the team’s halfback rotation and helps fill the void left by influential leader Brad Weber, who will join the Top 14.

Tahuriorangi was a three-time All Black in 2018 and rejoined the Chiefs in 2023 after a couple of seasons bouncing around various Super Rugby franchises.

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Ratima is one of the most exciting and promising halfback talents in the country, with Super Rugby-leading accuracy in his pass making him an elite finisher for the Waikato side in 2023, contributing to the damaging bench unit coach Clayton McMillan deployed and often secured comes with.

An All Blacks XV selection in 2022 saw the 22-year-old’s debut on the international stage off the bench against the Barbarians.

“Cortez has been an exciting player to watch and his skill set has gone from strength to strength with consistent game time this season,” McMillan said. “He is still a relatively young player and we look forward to seeing how he continues to grow and develop his game.”

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Meanwhile, the Crusaders have retained one of their numerous All Black props in George Bower, with the 31-year-old signing on with the Canterbury franchise until 2025.

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An ACL rupture in round six of Super Rugby Pacific sidelined Bower for the season and ended the 22-Test All Black’s World Cup hopes.

“I’m so excited to be staying on with the Crusaders for another two seasons,” Bower said. 

 “This team means a lot to me. It’s a team that’s provided me with so much opportunity. The culture, the place and most importantly the people – these are the reasons I love this team and why I want to continue to play my rugby here. 

 “My recovery and rehab is coming along well and it’s given me time to focus on myself, which has been great.” 

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Bower’s new contract leaves incoming coach Rob Penney with the luxury of four All Black props at his disposal, with veteran Joe Moody remaining with the squad as well as youngsters Fletcher Newell and Tamaiti Williams, who are currently in France preparing for the Rugby World Cup.

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Comments

4 Comments
P
Peter 528 days ago

Agree,but Havilli can cover 10, Kemara & Harford are the future . I do see your logic. Richie is a huge loss. Time for Ferg to step up .

P
Peter 530 days ago

Scott,they have a gem of a 10 coming through there system ,Watch out for Alex Harford ,another number 10 gem.

S
Scott 530 days ago

Crusaders have room to sign a third #10. I’d love to see them add Aaron Cruden to provide a veteran to challenge and support Fergus Burke.

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Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
Western Force and ACT Brumbies looking for signs of progress in Super Rugby Pacific

It’s good to be at the start of the season, to be tipping the games again. Thanks for the article Brett. An interesting and, for me, informative read, as I have not kept up with all the news of all the teams, really only Qld.


Whatever happens in the search for a new coach for the WB’s, all of Les Kiss, Stephen Larkham and Dan McKellar will be coaching their respective teams this year. I believe Kiss to be the best of the three, and by a significant margin(the bad result against the Chiefs in the playoffs last season the one scar), and that gives Qld., in my view, an extra edge.


I agree, Brett, that Qld. on paper, and on squad strength and experience, look the best bet for Australia. If Tim Ryan builds on last year, he could be a WB starter against the Lions. The locking strength and depth is approaching that of teams like Leinster, Toulouse etc…not as strong ofc, but in Super Rugby circles, yes.


I like the type of game Kiss is building. Really carrying on from where he was rudely interrupted at London Irish, when they fell over. The one game on tour where they beat Ulster was a significant pointer to where they are at. While not a top Ulster unit, it was still a very good team, not easy to beat in Belfast. Sadly the Bristol game was a training run, but still valuable in a way, as the group were touring, building systems and understanding.


One player I will be watching with interest is Finn Hurley at the Highlanders. He was brought to my attention a year ago by the grandson of a friend, who knew him at Otago Boys High in Dunedin. Small, but resilient, with a good boot, from what I have seen on clips, he should have a useful first full year as a Highlander.


Hope the Force do well… have always had a “soft spot” for them. But good luck to all franchises, and pray for no serious injuries….as I have done forever, as aplayer, then coach, and now long retired rugby fanatic 😀

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