Howlett & Holah extend All Blacks contracts
Tuesday, 27 September 2005 09:24All Blacks winger Doug Howlett and openside flanker Marty Holah have re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union until after the 2007 World Cup in France.
Holah, 29, has signed until after the end of the 2007 season, while 27-year-old Howlett extended his contract until after the following campaign.
"Both Doug and Marty have made an outstanding contribution to rugby at all levels in New Zealand and the fact that they have both decided to extend their contracts is fantastic news for us and for their fans," NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.
Howlett had earlier this year been the subject of media speculation linking him with a move to Wales after he was left out of the All Blacks's Tri-nations squad.
However, he was called in as replacement for the injured Sitiveni Sivivatu and scored a hat-trick of tries in the All Blacks 34-24 victory over Australia in Auckland to clinch their sixth Tri-nations title.
Holah missed out on the initial All Blacks squad for the June/July series against the British and Irish Lions, but returned during the Tri-nations.
Howlett has played 48 Tests, scoring 39 tries, while Holah has played 34 Test matches and the pair are considered important members of coach Graham Henry's squad as he builds an experienced team capable of challenging for the World Cup in 2007.
