The New Zealand Rugby Union's chief executive Steve Tew believes All Black signings beyond next year's World Cup underline the quality of the professional rugby environment in New Zealand.
Tew announced on Wednesday that senior players Conrad Smith and Jerome Kaino and four younger members of the current squad had signed contracts that'll take them through till the end of 2012.
28-year-old Conrad Smith said he was delighted to commit himself to continue playing all levels of rugby in New Zealand, and he's looking forward to a few more years of professional rugby.
The locks Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock, and prop Ben Franks have also re-signed.
They join a group of other leading players who've signed through until 2012, including prop Tony Woodcock and halfback Jimmy Cowan, loose forwards Kieran Read and Victor Vito, and backs Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden.
Tew says their focus has shifted beyond 2011 as they try to keep players in New Zealand after the World Cup.
