While the lure of lucrative overseas contracts continues to entice some of the country's youthful rugby talents abroad, one of Bay of Plenty's finest is bucking the trend.

Sam Cane has re-signed with both New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs for two more years, up until the end of 2017.

Bay of Plenty flanker Sam Cane will remain a Chief until 2017. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

And there is no better place to ply his trade, since bursting on the rugby scene in 2010 with the Bay of Plenty Steamers and the NZ Under 20s the following year, according to the 23-year-old.

'I'm really enjoying my rugby and love playing for both the Chiefs and the All Blacks. I still have a lot of things I want to achieve in New Zealand Rugby. I am still relatively young and still have a lot to learn about the game and plenty of room to grow as a player,” says Cane.

'It was a simple decision to stay with the Chiefs. It's an enjoyable environment to be a part of with a great bunch of men. The coaches are world class and the future is exciting for Chiefs rugby and that is something I want to play a leading role in.”

The Reporoa-raised Bay of Plenty loose forward was first selected for the Chiefs in 2011 and the All Blacks in 2012 and has grown in stature in the ensuing years.

For a number of years has been touted as the successor to All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, and it has been during this year's Super Rugby season that we are beginning to see Cane come into his own.

Thanks to fellow Bay teammate Tanerau Latimer heading to Japan after the 2014 season, allowing the Cane to be the first choice starter in the Chiefs No. 7 jersey and playing 80 minutes – now sitting on 64 Super Rugby caps.

He also has one of the highest tackle rates in this year's Super Rugby competition, recognised in scooping the Chiefs Player of the Year voted for by the fans, the Chiefs Player of the Year voted for by the coaches and the Players Player of the Year.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is rapt Cane has committed for another couple of years.

'He's an outstanding player but more importantly a quality young man, held in high regard by all. His work ethic, leadership and community mindedness continues to have a positive influence on our club,” says Rennie.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen says Cane is an exceptional young player who has developed into a world-class loose forward.

'He's worked very hard over the past few seasons and is now a key player in our group. He is in the All Blacks leadership group which just shows how much respect the management and players have for him.”

Cane has won two Investec Super Rugby titles, an Under-20 Junior World Championship gold medal and the New Zealand Rugby Age Group Player of the Year.

He has also claimed the Bay of Plenty Junior Sportsman of the Year in 2012 and was a Bay of Plenty age group representative.

Cane is the latest in a long list of current All Blacks who have re-signed beyond this year including Julian Savea, Brodie Retallick and Dane Coles (2019), Jerome Kaino and Wyatt Crockett (2018), Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Malakai Fekitoa (2017) and Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Luke Romano, Ryan Crotty, TJ Perenara, Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipulotu (2016).