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Super Rugby: Blues hand Maori All Blacks fly-half Ihaia West new deal

Image: Ihaia West: Has been rewarded with a new long-term deal at the Blues

Ihaia West has been rewarded for his impressive form with a new two-year deal at the Blues.

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The Maori All Blacks fly-half had been without a Super Rugby contact at the start of the season.

However having initially joined the Blues on a short-term contract in April as cover for the injured Baden Kerr, the 22-year-old has gone to prove he is worth a longer term deal.

Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan said: "We're thrilled to have Ihaia with us for the next two seasons.

"He's incredibly relaxed under pressure and has a great temperament that you need in a 10. Nothing seems to faze him; he came into the football team midway through the year but it was like he'd been here five years.

"He's brought a nice attacking edge to the team and hasn't tried to do too much too early and I think we'll see him continue to grow.

"We've seen enough of him to realise that, along with Simon Hickey who are quite different footballers, we've got two great 10s we can really build a franchise around."

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