Top Players Stay With Nz

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday October 23, 2003

AUCKLAND.- Twenty-nine of the 30 players in the World Cup squad have re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) for next season's Super 12 campaign.

Leon MacDonald is the only member of the squad who has failed to re-sign with the NZRU for 2004. The utility back has instead agreed to play in Japan next year.

``In all, we think it's an excellent result," NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said.

``Fifty-one of the 2003 Super 12 players who were coming off contract this year and next year have re-committed to New Zealand rugby.

``At the start of the year, and given that it is a Rugby World Cup year, we might have expected to lose more players, particularly since a large number were coming off contract."