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All Blacks coach Ian Foster fronts captaincy implications for Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has confronted the two major questions following Sam Cane’s appointment as national captain.
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Firstly, why was Cane favoured ahead of Sam Whitelock, the veteran lock perceived by many to be Kieran Read’s heir apparent?
Secondly, what does Cane’s captaincy mean for world-class loose forward Ardie Savea?
Foster acknowledged the captaincy decision, the first statement of his new era, came down to a choice between Whitelock and Cane.
Whitelock, with 117 tests to Cane’s 68, has superior experience having featured at three World Cups. Cane is, however, three years younger at 28.
In the end it was Cane’s leadership approach – his open, honest, mature, inclusive style – that earned him the nod.
“It definitely wasn’t a one horse race,” Foster said. “Last year was a different group and we had a different captain. When you’re looking at your captain you look at the whole balance of the leadership group. Sammy Whitelock had a pretty special relationship with Kieran Read so there was a lot of synergy there. When we went from one to the other it was almost seamless.
“Sammy proved he could be a great All Black captain so that wasn’t really the debate. It was a matter of looking at the different styles and the group we think we might have when we put names down on paper and we felt Sam Cane’s style might be a little bit more conducive for this group.
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“In some ways it was a great decision to have as a coach because we had at least two people who we were extremely confident in. Sam has actually been in the leadership group longer than Sam Whitelock.
“They’re two great people surrounded by a number of others who we’re equally confident in. Overall Sam Cane is at a point in his career where he’s ready to lead, he’s got a great style and for us it was a gut feel. He’s ready for it. He’s had some great mentors in this All Blacks camp in the last eight years.”
The next hot topic is where Cane’s anointment leaves Savea, last year’s All Blacks, Super Rugby and overall Kelvin R Tremain Memorial player of the year, who then signalled interest in switching to rugby league.
Savea’s form was so compelling at the World Cup that he was preferred at openside flanker for the ill-fated semifinal defeat to England, with the All Blacks starting Scott Barrett at blindside and Cane coming off the bench.
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With his captaincy decision, Foster has effectively committed to starting Cane and Savea in the same loose forward trio. Savea proved his ability at No 8 where his speed of the back off the scrum is a valuable asset, while Cane’s confrontational style is equally suited to the six role.
Yet it is the seven jersey both prefer.
Height in the lineout and power in contact will be defining qualities to determining who partners the pair.
“We’ve shown we can both get them on the park at the same time which we’re excited about,” Foster said.
“Certainly when you look at form from last year both players were good enough to be selected.
“We’ve looked at the versatility of Ardie and Sam so we’ve got some really good options there. Some of that might be influenced by who puts their hand up as the third loosie.
“There’s plenty of room for people to impress in that six-eight role and we’ll look at the combinations from then on.
“Ardie is a massive part of our plans, as is Sam Cane. I’m pretty sure we’ll find a way to get them both playing, and playing really well.”
There isn’t a solid argument to be had against Sam Cane's appointment as All Blacks captain, writes @realmikepulmanhttps://t.co/o0QQ8XY5VH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 6, 2020
Foster is not wedded to appointing a vice-captain anytime soon, saying it was not an obvious strategy and that Cane would ultimately shape his leadership group.
He also addressed the bizarre timing of the announcement with the July tests set to be postponed and uncertainty surrounding the All Blacks first appearance of the year, which is expected to come against the Wallabies.
“Whilst it looks a bit strange because we haven’t got an itinerary yet, it’s not strange because we’re still doing a lot planning behind the scenes about all the different scenarios and a strong player input is vital. The best way to do that is get the pecking order sorted and get Sam sorted in his role so he can maximise the input of his teammates.
“There’s undoubtedly a lot of pressure on everyone and we’re no different to any other organisation in this country. For us the challenges are very real. We know we’re in an industry which is high cost high revenue so when you take away the revenue you’ve got problems.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
3 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
3 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to comments