Spending nearly a year on the sideline has convinced world class hooker Dane Coles to extend his contract with New Zealand rugby.
Hurricanes captain Coles has signed a deal through to 2021, hoping he'll get more game time than last year, which he spent mostly recovering from a serious knee injury before playing in four season-ending Tests.
At his best, the 32-year-old has been among the world's premier hookers, with his dynamic play in open field a feature of his 60 Tests.
"I still feel like there are things that I want to achieve in New Zealand with teams that mean a lot to me," Coles said.
"Missing all of last year's Super Rugby season with injury made me realise just how much I missed being out there for the Hurricanes and I want more time in the jersey."
Coles was the starting hooker in the 2015 World Cup final win over the Wallabies and led the Hurricanes to their maiden Super Rugby crown a year later.
He faces a challenge for the Test No.2 jersey at this year's World Cup.
Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor was named men's player of the year at the 2018 New Zealand Rugby awards.
