The Western Force have re-signed former All Blacks duo Richard Kahui and Jeremy Thrush for the 2021 Super Rugby AU season.

Kahui won the World Cup with New Zealand in 2011 and scored 10 tries in his 17 appearances for the All Blacks.

The 35-year-old centre played with the Force in the 2020 season and said he was excited to go on for another year.

The Force were winless in this year’s Super Rugby AU but Kahui is confident of a future upturn in fortunes.

“Some of the signings we’ve made have been massive,” he said.

“There are some big names of international rugby and it’s great for Western Force supporters. All the cattle’s there now and we’ve got the ingredients for a big campaign.”

Those big-name recruits include Irish legend Rob Kearney, Wallabies duo Tevita Kuridrani and Tom Robertson, and Argentine pair Tomas Cubelli and Julian Montoya.

Established players such as Kyle Godwin, Greg Holmes, Ian Prior, Jono Lance, Kieran Longbottom, Brynard Stander and Marcel Brache have all re-signed.

Thrush joined the Force in 2018 as part of what was then known as World Series Rugby.

The 35-year-old lock, who played 12 Tests for the All Blacks, captained the Force twice this year when Prior was injured.

“It’s great to be committing to another year with the club. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Perth at the Force,” Thrush said.

“My family and I have felt so welcomed by all the players, they’ve made it so easy to transition into the club from day one.

“We’re a very ambitious club and we’re moving forward in the right direction to make the Force and rugby in WA as strong as possible, that’s what really excites me.”