Thomson extends contract with NZRU

Highlanders blindside flanker Adam Thomson is tackled by Cheetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss during...
Highlanders blindside flanker Adam Thomson is tackled by Cheetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss during their Super 14 clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday morning.
Adam Thomson has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of 2010 but his future with Otago remains up in the air.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced yesterday All Blacks Andrew Hore, Anthony Boric and Thomson have extended their contracts with the union.

Hore, a hooker, has re-signed until the end of the 2011 season, while Boric, a lock, and Thomson, a loose forward, have re-signed until the end of 2010.

Thomson, who has played four tests this year in his debut season for the All Blacks, did not make the squad which lost to Australia on Saturday night.

His agent, Warren Alcock, said yesterday he would meet Thomson this week to discuss the offer from Otago but doubted a contract would be signed.

Thomson's contract with Otago finishes at the end of this year.

Alcock said they were not looking at any other offers.

"The important thing for Adam, going through an All Black campaign, is to not put too much pressure on him," Alcock said.

"He is a young guy who has to concentrate on the All Blacks. Otago has been happy to respect that."

Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid earlier said he was happy to wait for Thomson to make a decision but said the union had presented a reasonable offer.

The Otago union had trimmed its wages bill by about $500,000 over the past year, and contracted 26 players, down from 35 last year.

NZRU general manager of professional rugby, Neil Sorensen, said the union was glad to have secured Hore's experience and leadership, and to see commitments from developing talents such as Boric and Thomson.

"It's a credit to the work of all the provinces and academies that we continue to produce quality players and that they want to play their rugby in New Zealand," Sorensen said.

Hore (30) started his first-class career with Otago, but shifted to Taranaki.

But he has not forgotten his Otago roots and has turned out for the Maniototo club in recent years.

He has earned 31 test caps since his debut in 2002.

He is in doubt for Saturday's test match against Australia at Eden Park because of a bruised hip.

Thomson (26), originally from Ashburton, played for the New Zealand under-19 side in 2001 and New Zealand under-23 in 2003.

He first played for the Highlanders in 2006 but made a real impact this year, leading to his selection in the All Blacks.

Boric (24) first played for North Harbour in 2005 and made his debut for the Blues a year later.

He, like Thomson, made his debut for the All Blacks this season.

 

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