Senior All Black and Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby and Wellington rugby unions through to the end of 2011.
So'oialo is the latest in a group of senior players to have committed to New Zealand rugby through to 2011, including All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Andrew Hore.
An All Black since 2002, 29-year-old So'oialo has played 55 tests for his country and is currently the joint third most capped All Blacks loose forward (with All Blacks great Michael Jones) behind Richie McCaw (77 tests) and Zinzan Brooke (58 tests). So'oialo has captained the side four times and has the rare distinction of having captained the All Blacks in a test from all three loose forward positions.
So'oialo has also played 79 matches for the Hurricanes and 55 times for his Wellington provincial side, is currently fifth on the all-time Hurricanes list of appearances and has captained the Hurricanes since 2006.
A family man away from the rugby field, So'oialo said the decision to re-sign with the NZRU had, in the end, been an easy one.
"I love living in New Zealand and particularly in Wellington and love playing my rugby here. My family is important to me and they were a key factor in me re-signing with the NZRU and Wellington Rugby Union. We are settled here and my wider family are also in Wellington and this is my home," he said.
"I am also excited by the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and would love to represent my country on home soil in that tournament," he added.
New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew said the importance of re-signing someone as experienced and respected as So'oialo could not be underestimated.
"Rodney is an outstanding, world-class player who could have easily commanded a significant package overseas, so we are thrilled to have him re-commit through to the end of 2011," Tew said.
"He has been tremendously loyal to Wellington, the Hurricanes and New Zealand and we thank him for his loyalty," Mr Tew added.
Wellington Rugby Union and Hurricanes CEO Greg Peters said So'oialo was a "very special person and very special player".
"We are extremely fortunate that he has shown such great commitment to the Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes. His leadership qualities have helped so many of our young players to reach their potential and we are delighted that he will continue to influence the next generation of players, both on and off the field," Peters said.
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