Taylor signs through 2021

All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury hooker Codie Taylor has become the first All Black to sign a long-term contract with New Zealand Rugby, extending his contract through to 2021.

The 26-year-old Taylor, who's currently in South Africa with the Crusaders is preparing for the Super Rugby Final against the Lions.

Born and raised in Levin, Taylor started his professional rugby career with Canterbury in 2012. 

He was also part of the New Zealand Under 20 team which won the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship. He joined the Crusaders in 2013, however a run of injuries limited his opportunities initially.

The powerful scrummager cemented a place over the following seasons though. An impressive 2014 season included three tries for Canterbury and an 89 percent tackle success rate in the provincial season, as well as selection in the Maori All Blacks and a try in Tokyo. He went from being the least experienced hooker in the Crusaders squad in 2015 to his All Blacks debut and a spot in the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad, following in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather, 1893 All Black Walter Pringle.

Codie Taylor is the first All Black to commit through to 2021. Samuel Whitelock, All Blacks Vice-Captain Ben Smith and Anton Lienert-Brown are signed through to 2020, while All Blacks Captain Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, Julian Savea, Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams, Joe Moody, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Nathan Harris, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Squire, Liam Coltman and Ngani Laumape have all inked deals through to 2019.