Rugby: Cridge signs new Canes deal

Geoff Cridge in action for the Hawke's Bay Magpies. Photo/File

Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby lock Geoff Cridge is one of four players who have re-committed to the Hurricanes for 2018 and beyond.

The two-time New Zealand Under-20 rep and one-time world champion who won the Magpies MVP, best forward and players' player awards last year joins midfielder Matt Proctor and new All Blacks, midfield back Ngani Laumape and lock Vaea Fifita in signing new deals with the Super Rugby champions.

The 22-year-old, 2m tall player is expected to turn out for his Hastings Rugby and Sports club for the first time this winter in the next fortnight after recovering from knee surgery.

Cridge said he was grateful to the Hurricanes coaching staff for showing faith in him after an injury-interrupted 2017 has seen him unable to add to his single Super Rugby appearance.

"It's been tough not being able to contribute on the field, but I've learnt a lot from being in the Hurricanes environment and I can't wait to make an impact in 2018."

Cridge has played 11 games for the Magpies since arriving in the Bay from Canterbury in 2014.

Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd was looking forward to watching all four players continue to develop in coming seasons.

"We are very lucky to have some great talent at the club right now in a lot of different positions and to be able to lock in players of the calibre of Ngani, Vaea, Matt and Geoff for next year and beyond is great.

"All of these guys are in their early to mid-20s and that allows us to move forward with some real confidence as we look to build on the club's recent success."