The All Black first five Dan Carter has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union and will continue to play here for another four years.
Carter has had a number of offers to play overseas following this year's World cup, but has decided to remain in New Zealand.
The re-signing of Carter is a major boost for New Zealand rugby, with the 29-year-old now part of a core group of experienced All Blacks playing beyond this year's Rugby World Cup.
Carter says it's been an incredibly important decision for him personally and he's received some significant offers to play overseas which were both flattering and tempting. However in the end the overriding factor for him was the All Blacks jersey.
NZRU CEO Steve Tew says they've built in an option for Carter to take an extended break from the game if he wishes and that includes playing overseas.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry says Carter is the best player in the world in his position and one of the best to have ever worn the All Blacks jersey. He's a tremendous ambassador for the All Blacks and fans both here in New Zealand and overseas will be celebrating his re-signing.
Carter joins a group of current and recent All Blacks who have recommitted to New Zealand rugby after this year's World Cup, including hookers Keven Mealamu and Hikawera Elliot, the All Blacks' most capped prop Tony Woodcock and fellow prop Ben Franks, locks Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock, loose forwards Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Daniel Braid, Liam Messam and Victor Vito, and backs Jimmy Cowan, Alby Mathewson, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden.
