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Sam Cane discusses injury concern after All Blacks’ big win over Boks
When the All Blacks emerged out of the half-time sheds during their big win over South Africa on Saturday, there was one glaring absentee from the side out on the field.
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Following a sensational first-half performance from the men in black, which saw them race out to a stunning 20-3 lead at Mt Smart Stadium, captain Sam Cane was replaced at the break.
Flanker Dalton Papali’i joined an otherwise unchanged side out in the middle as the All Blacks looked to continue their dominance over the defending world champions.
With this year’s Rugby World Cup less than two months away, the reason for the substitution soon became clear.
Cane was injured.
But the significance of the incident was a question that was yet to be answered ahead of the post-game press conference.
Rugby fans from a small nation at the bottom of the world held their breath as they waited for the news. Eventually, the skipper downplayed the significance of the injury.
“I think it was just before Shannon’s try, I sort of got my neck tweaked,” Cane told reporters post-game. “When we came in at half time I just let the medical staff know then Foz (coach Ian Foster) made the call.
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“Probably a bit precautionary but got this coming week to get it right.
“It’s not too bad at the moment.”
The rugby world was shocked by the All Blacks’ relentless dominance over the 2019 World Cup winners throughout the opening 40.
But the Springboks were never going to throw in the towel.
The Springboks’ star-studded bench helped inspire the visitors to an improved second-half performance, but the damage had already been done.
South Africa managed to close the gap to eight points after a try to winger Cheslin Kolbe, but the All Blacks hit back shortly after through electric outside back Will Jordan.
Playmaker Richie Mo’unga added another try in the 77th minute as the All Blacks ran away with a relatively comfortable 35-20 win.
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As many rugby fans would agree, it was one of the All Blacks’ best performances in recent memory – potentially their best performance under current coach Ian Foster.
“It was obviously a big game within this Championship, it was built like that, one we get excited about,” Foster said.
“Pretty delighted with the response to this sort of challenge. It wasn’t perfect but we showed a lot of intent.
“I thought we had a desire to play and that was exciting. A lot of swings and roundabouts in the game but I think the way we climbed through some of the ebbs and flows and came out on top was something we’re pretty proud of.”
After retaining the Freedom Cup, the All Blacks will set their sights on more silverware in a couple of weeks’ time.
The New Zealanders will travel across the ditch to take on Eddie Jones’ Wallabies in the first of two Bledisloe Cup Tests.
Australia are coming off back-to-back losses to open their Rugby Championship campaign but it hasn’t stopped Jones from firing a shot at the Kiwis.
As Jones told reporters after the thrilling loss to Argentina in Sydney, the All Blacks need to “look out.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
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