Sam Cane believes he's stepping out of one of the longest shadows ever cast in All Blacks rugby.

The Chiefs openside has signed a four-year extension through until 2021, and will remain affiliated with both the Chiefs and Bay of Plenty.

He joins hooker Codie Taylor in committing until midway through the next World Cup cycle.

17 of Cane's 30 test starts have come since the retirement of Richie McCaw after the 2015 World Cup.

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Cane said he still has plenty he wants to achieve.

"It takes on a different dynamic to the previous years.

"I want to be that player who's involved in the big games [and] in the big moments in the those games and hopefully in the next four years I'll get more opportunities to do that."

Cane said he was happy to stay in New Zealand.

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"Things go back and forth for a wee while, and then to have it locked in and not have to worry about that sort of thing for the next four years is pretty cool.

"So yeah, I'm looking forward to sticking around."

Cane is expected to earn his 50th cap in the third Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane this weekend.

The All Blacks depart for Australia this afternoon.

LISTEN ABOVE AS SAM CANE SPOKE TO THE DEVLIN RADIO SHOW