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All Blacks captain Sam Cane to retire from Test rugby at the end of 2024
By Finn Morton
World Cup winning All Black Sam Cane will step away from the Test rugby at the end of 2024 after inking a long-term deal in Japan, as confirmed by New Zealand Rugby on Monday afternoon.
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Cane, who has played 95 Test matches since making his debut against Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland in 2012, will relocate to Japan in 2025 after signing a three-year deal with Suntory Goliath.
The 32-year-old is currently on sabbatical with the Japan Rugby League One side but has decided to recommit for the foreseeable future after requesting an early release from his deal with New Zealand Rugby.
Last year’s All Blacks captain will still be eligible to represent New Zealand on the international stage this year, with Cane a chance of becoming the team’s 13th Test centurion.
But this will be his final year in black.
Almost 12 years since his All Blacks debut, Sam Cane has made the decision to bow out of the Test arena at the end of 2024.
Sam has decided to focus on spending more time with his family and sign a long-term contract with @sungoliath in Tokyo.
As planned, Cane will return home… pic.twitter.com/l1CnYqI1Xj
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) May 13, 2024
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With a second child on the way, Cane has explained that putting his family first was the main reason why he’s decided to call time on his decorated international career.
“A good opportunity came my with Suntory Sungoliath willing to offer me a three-year contract,” Cane said in a statement. “It was something we had to seriously consider as a family due to the stage I am at in my career. It will see me through to 2027 when I’ll have my 35th birthday.
“I’ve always thought that if I can play professional rugby for that length of time I’d be doing really well considering the position I play and the age that I started playing professionally.
“I had to weigh up everything and, in the end, with a young family, it seemed like the best decision to help set up our future. It was a very hard one because I love the teams that I represent here in New Zealand.
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“We obviously love this country, we love being around friends and family but we ultimately made the decision to sign with Suntory, which we’re really excited about. We have enjoyed our first year there and we just thought it was the best thing for our young family.”
Cane led the All Blacks into battle at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France, but it seems that the agonising defeat to South Africa in the final may be his final Test match as captain.
While it remains unclear as to who will lead the All Blacks under new coach Scott Robertson, Cane has offered to support New Zealand’s new captain as “part of the natural process that happens in rugby.”
“I had my time as captain and it was a huge honour and privilege,” he added.
“If I’m fortunate enough to be selected in the All Blacks this year then I’ll still be myself. I love that team and I just want to see the All Blacks do well, so if part of my role is contributing leadership off the field or on the field, I’ll be happy to support the new captain as best as I can do to help make it a smooth transition for the All Blacks.
“I’m really grateful for the time that I had to wear the captain’s armband. It was a huge honour and privilege – a lot of lessons out of it and growth.”
New All Blacks coach Robertson, who famously led the Crusaders to seven Super Rugby titles in as many years, has spoken with Cane about his decision to retire from international rugby.
“After discussing this at length with Sam, I fully understand the reasons behind his decision and support him,” coach Scott Robertson explained.
“The position he plays asks a lot of you mentally and physically – both of those ramp up when you are captain. So, to do what he’s done over such a long period is an incredible feat. I fully respect him taking this opportunity.”
Dalton for skipper?
He knows his body is not up to the work load of international rugby. The fact that Cane only played only 27 of the 46 games the ABs played while he was officially captain is a telling statistic. And that excludes the time he had out with neck injury.
He was never able to put a long enough body of work together to get back to his best without a new injury setting him back. He knows better than anyone that the problem will get worse, not better, given the same workload. Correct decision and good luck to him.
I tend to believe the reason he missed so much game time is that he was an exceptional defender in a team that had a weak defence. He was making like 3 out of 5 tackles at one point and clearing 2 out of 3 rucks with Ardie standing out wide waiting to get the beautiful pass from him from a dominant tackle and turnover, run through the gap in the defence (created by Cane drawing another player to the ruck to try and stop the turn over) to score. Pretty tough also to not get injured occasionally playing behind a tight five not as dominant as in the past and not gaining metres after contact forcing the first cleaner to hit a strong set oppositionruck with them already over the ball and set trying to turn the ball over.
Make 50 tackles and clean 30 rucks a day on your own, you will pick up injuries. I don't remember, before now, cane ever taking time of for sabbatical, additional rest or recovery or to find his drive and desire like a lot of others do, he only misses games, super or tests, when forced by injury.
Richie missed a lot of super rugby over years and some fair chunks of international years and tours too, both due to injuries and additional recovery and rest required.
Just pointing out, what everyone loves about Richie is somehow a detraction for cane ? Not sure why. Maybe if he hurt his foot instead of only breaking his neck ? Or led the greatest group of players ever to wins instead of manufacturing successful seasons with a team of players who very few would get in a world 15 and never a large percentage of the team at once. Richie had the best in the world, arguably, from 4 to 13, and probably the second best in the other positions his whole career. Sam Came had b Barrett for a couple of his good years, aging Retallic and Whitelock and only recently Ardie. Still played 95 tests, 150 odd super games and a good chunk of club rugby too. He got to the final of every world cup he played at, kept the Bledisloe and rugby championship, 2 super rugby titles and, maybe, a couple grand slams too ? Maybe 2013 and 2018 Not bad for a guy who's no good, not our best 7, a weak captain, injury prone and not even good enough to be picked as an all black. Do you really think Ardie would be the same player if forced to play 7 instead of 8 and do what cane does ? Sam Came is the glue in that pack, does the unnoticed stuff so well that the other loose forwards are able to do the flashy stuff.
Big loss to NZ. Paapili is good but not even close to cane on defence or reading the game ? Ardie to 7, Sotutu at 8 ? Maybe, loosing a lot of strength on defence and tactical knowledge though.
Whats his name from the Landers might be a good choice, he has a few years left, clever, works hard. Or that young Canes 7.
Hope Sam plays the next 3 years, not one injury, and everyone realises how good he is and how good it would have been for him to come back to NZ.
Best wishes to a true warrior who gave everything for his team and country. He was no McCaw but the closest we've had in recent years in terms putting his head into dark places, leading the defensive line and securing the attacking breakdown - the core roles of a modern open side. If only he could have played more tests under Foster and Plumtree with blindsides who fulfilled their core roles.
2027 was always going to be a long shot. Hopefully Papalii fulfils the promise of 2021 and late 2022 and/or Lakai turns out to be as good as he looks.
Absolutely agree. Richie was one of a kind but led a superstar team under the best coaches on the planet.
Cane successfully let an only average team guided by a coaching and management team that shouldn't be allowed to train an under 10’s team from Melbourne where their rugby knowledge and attacking flair may have been considered acceptable.
Sam Cane was a great leader and player. Richie chose him as his apprentice and eventual replacement, you think he didn't know which future NZ 7 was the correct choice ?
Fair play to him. A lot of exciting talent coming up in the loose forward position, can’t wait to see the next generation.
Would have been great to have him another 3 years just to train his replacement.
Paapili isn't there yet, or Lakai. I guess Ardie to 7, Sotutu or the highlander at 8 and Sami Finau to kill some people from 6.
Lot of pressure on Savea though, captain, lead young loosies, play back at 7 with a young, inexperienced pack and unknown halves calling the backline moves.
Tough gig Cane will be missed.
Sam wants to focus on his family and learning how to tackle legally…what’s Japanese for ‘bend at the waist’?
“should have been the poor black captain”
What's Japanese for massive tackle count and huge work rate ? If you are doing 3 times what anyone else is on defence you will occasionally get your body out of position.
Not like he makes 3 tackles a game, misses one, brushed off one and penalised one. He's a defensive machine, more dominant tackles and ruck clearances than anyone in NZ, by far.
Good Luck Sam, enjoy Japan.