All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has become the third player to commit long-term to New Zealand Rugby (NZR), with the front rower re-signing with the national union and his Investec Super Rugby team through to 2019.

The deal is further good news for NZR and follows last week's announcement that his Hurricanes' teammate Julian Savea and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick had signed four-year deals with NZR.

28-year-old Coles said playing for the All Blacks and Hurricanes was all he'd ever wanted to do, and representing the two teams was still at the forefront of his mind.

"I'm definitely not at the stage where I want to head overseas yet. Both teams mean a huge deal to me and I really want to play for a club, and team, that I have that strong connection with.

"My family and friends are also close by which is still important to me, and so I'm just thankful for the opportunity both New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes have given me to stay on."

Coles said he liked the way the Hurricanes were heading at the moment, and wasn't ready to give up being a part of that just yet.

"We've got some awesome young guys coming through, so I'd really like to contribute in some way to help them reach their full potential for the club to continue on being successful."

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew said:  "Coming on the back of Brodie and Julian's announcements, this is further great news for both the All Blacks and the Hurricanes and I want to congratulate and thank Dane for his ongoing commitment and loyalty to New Zealand.  He is a world-class rugby player and a very important player for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks.

"His recommitment to New Zealand again reinforces the fact that, despite the attractions of overseas clubs, the New Zealand rugby environment still has a lot to offer, and the majority of our players still want to be part of it."

Hurricanes forwards coach Richard Watt said having Coles sign on in New Zealand was a huge boost for both organisations.

"Colesy is an awesome signing for the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby. It's also a great reward for a guy who's put in a lot of hard work to get where he is as the number one hooker in the country.

"He'll be part of a Hurricanes team that will hopefully kick on from this year and have some real success over the next few years, and there's no doubt his signing will be a huge part of that happening."

Dane Coles has cemented his position as first-choice hooker for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker with a series of impressive appearances for both teams. His strength, mobility and speed have helped to redefine the qualities required for a modern international front rower, with an ability to break through tackles and leave defenders flat footed. Hailing from the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington, Coles made his provincial debut for Wellington and national debut for New Zealand Under 21 in 2007 and his Super Rugby debut in 2009. He claimed the Hurricanes starting jersey in the 2012 season, turning in a series of performances that attracted the eye of the All Blacks selectors, who picked him for the year-end European Tour. He featured in all four matches, making his Test debut against Scotland in Edinburgh.  He has now played 27 Tests and scored two tries and made more than 75 appearances for the 'Canes.

Other All Blacks who have committed to New Zealand Rugby beyond this year include Savea and Retallick (2019), Jerome Kaino (2018), Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Malakai Fekitoa (2017) and Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Smith, Augustine Pulu, Beauden Barrett, Luke Romano, TJ Perenara, Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipulotu (2016).

The All Blacks: With a history extending back to the 1880s, New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks, is not only the most successful international rugby team of all time but also one of the most successful teams in world sport, with a winning Test record of more than 76 percent and a record of 90 percent since 2012. The All Blacks play European opponents every year in the Steinlager Series and again at the end of the year, and play Argentina, Australia and South Africa annually in the Investec Rugby Championship. The All Blacks were crowned Rugby World Cup Champions in 2011 to add to their Webb Ellis Cup win in the inaugural Tournament in 1987 and in 2013 became the first international team in the professional era to go through the season unbeaten. The team has been named World Rugby Team of the Year a record eight times.