New Zealand Rugby has confirmed that captain Sam Cane signed a contract extension to stay with the All Blacks until 2025.

Under the deal, 77-Test veteran Cane will have the option of taking a sabbatical in 2024 for either a rest or to play abroad.

The 29-year-old Cane said he was “stoked” at the prospect of staying with the All Blacks and his Super Rugby franchise, the Chiefs, for another four years.

“My passion for the game, whether it’s playing for the All Blacks, Chiefs or Bay of Plenty, is as strong as when I started playing, so it was an easy decision for me to extend my contract,” he said.

Cane replaced Kieran Read as All Blacks captain after the 2019 World Cup but was been sidelined for an extended period to undergo shoulder and chest operations.

“I know that following a year in which he missed a lot of rugby with his significant injury, he is fully committed to being at his very best in 2022 and beyond, which is exciting,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster said.