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All Blacks captain Sam Cane set for short stint abroad – report
All Blacks captain Sam Cane is expected to miss the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Chiefs after taking up a sabbatical in Japan, according to a report out of New Zealand.
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Stuff has revealed that Cane, who captained the All Blacks in last weekend’s Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France, is set for a short stint abroad after inking a deal with Tokyo Sungoliath.
Cane could potentially pack down in a backrow alongside former Wallabies enforcer Sean McMahon, and join Wales’ Gareth Anscombe and two-time World Cup-winning Springbok Cheslin Kolbe in the team.
In a boost to the All Blacks as they prepare to embark on their new era under coach Scott Robertson, Cane will be available for selection ahead of the July internationals.
When captain Cane re-signed with New Zealand Rugby in December 2021, there was a clause in his contract that allowed the openside flanker to exercise a sabbatical after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“The amount of rugby I’ve played the last three years, between two injuries and the Covid year, I’m feeling pretty good,” Cane said, as reported by Stuff’s Marc Hinton at the time.
“At this stage I’d be learning to not using it or just going back late to Super Rugby, but won’t make that decision tilly early ’23.”
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This news makes the re-signing announcement of loose forward Luke Jacobson that much more important for the Chiefs.
Knockout
11 - 12
Final
6 - 44
SF1
15 - 16
SF2
17 - 29
QF1
24 - 28
QF2
30 - 24
QF3
28 - 29
QF4
Harbouring genuine title ambitions after losing last year’s final to the Crusaders at home, the Chiefs’ backrow stocks have already taken a hit. Former All Black Pita Gus Sowakula signed a two-year deal with Clermont.
In the absence of Cane and Sowakula, Jacobson will become the most important backrower at the Chiefs. Jacobson was selected in the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad after starting 13 Super Rugby Pacific games for the Chiefs last season.
“I’m stoked to sign on with the Chiefs, Waikato Rugby, and NZR for another two years,” Jacobson said in a statement.
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“I love representing these teams and am very proud to be able to call myself a Waikato/Chiefs man and also and All Black. I’m hungry to succeed with these teams and tick off a few unticked boxes.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments