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Chiefs secure the future of star youngster on a long-term deal

By Online Editors
Shaun Stevenson against the Brumbies. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

The Chiefs have secured the services of star youngster Shaun Stevenson on a four-year deal that will see him stay at the Chiefs until the end of the 2023 Super Rugby campaign.

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The 22-year-old has been a highly-touted prospect since coming through the ranks with Auckland Grammar at schoolboy level, and eventually made his debut for the Chiefs in 2016, the same year he played for New Zealand Under 20 after appearing for New Zealand Schools and Waikato at provincial level in the years beforehand.

Now in his fourth season with the Hamilton-based franchise, the North Harbour and Maori All Blacks flyer will extend his stay at Waikato Stadium through til the next World Cup in France, which he will undoubtedly want to be apart of.

However, in a statement made on the Chiefs’ website, Stevenson focused his attention solely on his role with his club.

“I am pleased to have re-signed with the Chiefs,” he said.

“It is a great club to be a part of. I play with a good group of guys and there is a great culture here. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said that the future was bright for Stevenson.

“At only 22 years of age he is the future for the Chiefs,” Cooper said.

“We expect he will deliver a number of good performances for our team in the years to come.”

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Chief executive Michael Collins was also pleased with securing Stevenson’s signature given the ability the outside back has at his disposal.

“Shaun is a talented utility back and is a promising player with plenty to offer the Chiefs,” Collins said.

“It is great to see we are continuing to retain our talent. We have already announced a number of players who have re-signed with the team including Michael Allardice, Nathan Harris, Lachlan Boshier and Mitchell Brown, it is great to have Shaun joining this group.”

Stevenson has played 37 times for the Chiefs since his debut in three years ago, but has found himself out of favour so far this season following a poor start to the season, which contributed to the franchise’s dismal five-match winless opening run.

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However, he was named back in the starting lineup for last week’s 47-19 defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes in Wellington, and is set to start for this Saturday’s clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

In other news:

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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