'He is one of the hardest hitters out there' - The players explain what fans don't get about Sam Cane's game
Under fire All Blacks captain Sam Cane has received a glowing endorsement from two current Super Rugby players, with Blues hooker James Parsons and Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall explaining what fans aren’t able to see from the Chiefs flanker.
“I suppose for me, he’s hugely respected,” Blues hooker James Parsons said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“It probably takes for you to get hit by him, to know how good he is.
“He is one of the hardest hitters out there, but I think one of the reasons he’s so respected is he’s such a team-first man.
“He’s not looking for the highlight packages or anything, it is all about what is going to be best for his team going forward. He will always put himself in those positions.
Aside from being able to bring dominant hits to a defence, which Bryn Hall described as being a confidence lifter for the side, it’s the commitments to the greater cause that make him an excellent leader.
“An example against us [the Blues], he made one tackle on Gerard Cowley and got a stinger and was down for about 2 minutes, and then play came back his way and he stood up and made another tackle with the exact same shoulder,” Parsons recalled.
“It’s those sorts of efforts that are always going to be appreciated by players so much more than highlight plays.
“Because you know when someone is hurt, they are going to turn up for you and have your inside and back you up. That’s someone you want to follow.”
Parsons explained that the pressure being heaped on Cane as All Blacks captain is nothing different, with previous captains going through it at various points in their tenures.
“It comes with the job. Richie McCaw had it going into the 2015 World Cup, Kieran Read had it a number of times.
“It probably doesn’t help [the captaincy] coinciding with the Chiefs not going so well. But there is no doubt in the All Blacks’ selectors minds that he is the best man for the job.
“I’d back that fully as well. He’s a great player, but a great man as well and those are the people you want to play alongside.”
Byrn Hall echoed Parsons sentiment stating that he had no issues with Sam Cane being selected as All Black captain.
“For me, there is no qualms about it, he is a great player and well-respected, he’ll continue to get better when he gets in the All Blacks camp and later this year,” Hall said.
Cane’s Super Rugby Aotearoa stats show that he has made the third-most tackles in the competition, behind fellow open sides Dalton Papalii and Dillon Hunt, despite sitting out the opening two rounds.
He is making dominant tackles at a solid rate of 19%, but that sits below other loose forwards Ardie Savea (31%), Mitch Brown (28%), Papalii (25%), Du’Plessis Kirifi (25%), and Tom Christie (25%).
Although, Cane did produce a monster game against the Crusaders over the weekend, making a game-high 24 tackles while winning three turnovers himself.
Parsons explained what having an enforcer like Cane dishing out dominant hits does for your defence.
“Defence is all about getting the ball back,” he said.
“Teams don’t want to overplay these days, so if you get a dominant hit early in the defensive set, more than likely you are going to get the ball back via kick or a turnover at the breakdown.
“Although he might not get the plaudits for that turnover, he’s created that opportunity for a Lachlan Boshier or a Mitch Karpik or whoever else, to get over the ball and get the ball back.
“That’s what you need in a game of rugby. So many times, time and time again, he’ll be the guy that’s made the tackle that allows those turnover opportunities.”
Listen to the full episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments