HAMILTON-based Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs have re-signed Dominic Bird and Michael Allardice for the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Two of the tallest timber in the Chiefs squad will continue with the Hamilton franchise until at least the end of the 2018 season.
Bird and Allardice will continue their Super Rugby careers with the Chiefs under incoming head coach Colin Cooper. Bird has signed on for 2018, while Allardice has committed for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
At 2.06m and 112kg, Bird is the tallest second rower in the Chiefs squad. He made his All Blacks debut against Japan in 2013 and was also part of the 2011 New Zealand U20’s IRB Junior World Championship winning team alongside Chiefs teammates Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane.
The Waipukurau-born 25-year-old joined the Chiefs for the 2016 season following three years with the Crusaders. Bird and has played 15 games for the side to date.
Taihape-born Allardice made his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs in 2015. The hardworking 25-year-old lock has shown his resilience in the last 12 months working his way back from a knee injury which has limited his playing time. A product of Palmerston North Boys High School, Allardice was a member of the New Zealand Schools and New Zealand University teams. The Hawke’s Bay Mitre 10 Cup representative has 18 caps to his name.
Bird and Allardice join All Black Retallick in the locking stocks who is already committed to the Chiefs through till 2019.
