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Asafo Aumua and Salesi Rayasi extend contracts with Hurricanes, NZ Rugby until 2021

January 11, 2019

Rayasi and former Highlanders first-five Fletcher Smith are eager to show their worth when the squad assembles later next month.

Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua and winger Salesi Rayasi have extended their contracts with the Wellington Super Rugby franchise and New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2021.

Aumua burst onto the rugby scene in 2017, starring for the New Zealand under 20s at the World Cup and continued his hot form later that year for the Wellington Lions in the Mitre 10 Cup competition.

He went onto represent the All Blacks in the northern hemisphere tour against the Barbarians and a France XV side.

The 21-year-old made his debut for the Hurricanes last year and played four games before being injured.

Rayasi, 22, is a former New Zealand sevens player and was called into the Hurricanes squad after his breakout season for Auckland last year, with his side going onto take out the Mitre Cup Premiership competition against Canterbury in the final.

Hurricanes coach John Plumtree said Salesi has been impressive in their pre-season preparations.

"Salesi has shown us already through the pre-season that he has the hunger and desire to succeed at this level," said Plumtree.

"We know what Asafo is capable of and he is really keen to play a key role for the Hurricanes in the coming years."

The Hurricanes take on the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval in New South Wales, in their Super Rugby 2019 opener on February 16.

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