Nehe Milner-Skudder
Matt Proctor
The top-of-the-table Hurricanes have announced the re-signing of Nehe Milner-Skudder and Matt Proctor until at least the end of 2017.
Both Milner-Skudder, 24, and Proctor, 22, have proven themselves to be elusive members of the Hurricanes’ backline, and coach Chris Boyd said they would both be key figures in the team’s future.
“They’re both local products of the Hurricanes franchise, and it’s no secret that both of these guys are exciting talents.
“Nehe and Matt will form part of a continuation of a powerful back 3 combination, and we look forward to having them with us for at least a couple more seasons.”
Proctor said he was excited by the opportunity to stay at the club for another 2 years.
“The team’s heading in a really good direction and I’m looking forward to contributing wherever I can to help us achieve the goals we set out to achieve at the start of each season,” he said.
“This year has been awesome so far, and I’m enjoying the challenge of taking each chance I’m given and making it count. We’ve got some great talent here at the Hurricanes and I think that is only going to help me continue to grow as a player.”
Manawatu’s Milner-Skudder said debuting for the Hurricanes this season had been a bit of a dream come true, and he was stoked to be able to recommit for another 2 years.
“It’s been a great year so far and I’m really enjoying being a part of Super Rugby with the Hurricanes.
“This team has such a strong brotherhood and I’m grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to continue to be a part of it.”
Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd believes his side is making all the right noises ahead of the Super Rugby regular season run-in and play-off games.
The pace-setters, who defeated the Crusaders 29 / 23 in Wellington, racked up their 9th success of the campaign from 10 league matches on Saturday.
Despite losing flyhalf Beauden Barrett in the derby showdown due to an injury, head coach Boyd was encouraged by what he is seeing from his in-form side.
“I think this group now has a good resolve among them. I didn’t see any panic out there. Everyone knew what we needed to do, the heads were clear and we got the result,” he said.
“I think the pack showed good resolve and the dominant tackle defence in the last 20 minutes was crucial. I don’t know if it that was there before or not, but you have a very experienced side there.
“You are talking 3 or 4 guys with 100 games, a half dozen with 50, and there are 10 guys who have worn the All Blacks jersey. Some guys are less experienced, but there is an awful lot of rugby intelligence in the team, so there is no need to get into the red.”