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'I'm not quite in good enough shape to be playing test footy': Sam Cane's stark admission

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Even in spite of his long-awaited return to the All Blacks over the weekend, don’t expect Sam Cane to be locked in as a certain starter for this week’s test against Wales.

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Expectations that Cane will slot straight back into the starting lineup on the back of two appearances in six months – one for King Country in the Heartland Championship and one off the bench for the All Blacks against the USA two days ago – were quashed by the man himself on Tuesday [NZT].

Speaking to media a day after the All Blacks arrived in Cardiff to kick-off the European leg of their end-of-year tour, the 29-year-old conceded that, despite his inclusion in New Zealand’s touring party, he isn’t in good enough condition to play test rugby.

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All Blacks react to 104-14 victory over the USA Eagles in Washington DC

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All Blacks react to 104-14 victory over the USA Eagles in Washington DC

That may come as little surprise to some given Cane had been sidelined for more than half a year with a pectoral injury until earlier this month.

However, Cane moved to assure those who were oblivious of the significance of his injury and were anticipating a seamless return to action that time is of the essence with regard to when he will be back to his best.

“For people almost expecting that I’d come in and try and push for a starting place straight off the bat probably don’t appreciate how tough test match footy is,” Cane said.

“I’m not quite in good enough shape or sharp enough to be playing test match footy right now, that’s for sure.

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“But, like I said, another week of training with the All Blacks, my mindset is similar to when I first made the squad and knew that I was going to get bugger all game time, which was to target each day and each week and try and be a better rugby player by the end of the week.

“Hopefully, if I do that, I’ll get up to speed reasonably quickly, but there’s no expectations or pressure, internally or from the coaches’ point-of-view, to take off immediately from where I left off.

“As long as I’m improving every week and getting better, hopefully I get some game time at some point, and then we’ll just go from there based off merit and how I’m playing.”

The mountainous challenge of not playing at all for over six months to featuring in what is effectively amateur provincial rugby, and then representing the All Blacks just two weeks later, was evident when Cane took to the field against the Eagles in Washington DC.

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He, understandably, looked far from perfect in his side’s 104-14 thrashing of the hosts at FedEx Field, but the 75-test flanker didn’t shy away from acknowledging his lack of match fitness after such a lengthy injury lay-off.

“You never take it for granted, pulling on the All Blacks jersey, but you certainly appreciate it a little bit more, getting it back on after, I suppose, just knowing how much hard work has gone in to get back there, so I loved it,” Cane said.

“Lungs and legs even got a little bit of a workout, even in the game that it was, and a little bit of rust in terms of the timing and stuff, but looking forward to another week of training with the side and getting better.”

The process of getting Cane to peak form and fitness has been aided by head coach Ian Foster’s decision to relieve him of captaincy duties,

Instead, that task has been handed to veteran lock Sam Whitelock in a move that enables Cane to focus on improving his game, and his body, to the standard required of him to lead the All Blacks, lead alone play for them.

Reshuffling the leadership role yet again this year – the All Blacks have had four different captains (Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea and Brodie Retallick) in 2021 – is something that Cane has no qualms about.

In fact, the man who was appointed Kieran Read’s successor as All Blacks captain last year is embracing the reduced responsibility required of him on this tour before returning to normality in 2022.

“Pretty unique to have so many AB captains all assembled, all guys that have captained the team. I think it only puts the team in a better place in terms of the leadership,” Cane said.

“Overall, I think the squad’s creating awesome depth, but also awesome growth in terms of guys in the leadership space, so for me coming back, if I’m honest, it is nice to be able to come back and just focus on getting back to a high level of performing without having that added leadership responsibility.

“I think it’s just a good common sense decision. It doesn’t make sense for me to take that extra responsibility on when I haven’t got my own game exactly where I need it first.

“I’m still myself in here, helping out and chip in and lead where I can, but Sammy Whitelock’s got the big mantle and more responsibility at this stage.”

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4 Comments
i
isaac 1332 days ago

You should have been honest while you were in NZ...you hopped on the plane and now you say that??? Selfish....took someone else's place

M
Miha 1330 days ago

Isaac pull ya head in.....you egg

G
GL 1331 days ago

That's how all players get back from injury. He is not trying to get his first cap - he has 75 already. By the end of tour he will be in pretty good shape

N
Northandsouth 1331 days ago

He was honest about it - the coach said the exact same thing before he'd even left NZ - the fact he'd only had 57min in the heartland wasn't a dirty secret. Foster wants the players there who can improve the ABs long term, and his preferred long term captain is a part of that, therefore he sees benefit of him coming even though he's still building back to peak shape. The expectation isn't every player there could play a WC final tomorrow, hence why he's picked a green bolter at lock who's domestic form doesn't yet quite warrant the call up. No one has been dishonest or disrespectful.

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PoppaRick 1 hour ago
The Chiefs are better than the Crusaders

It annoys when sport “Professionals “ make statements like that . The Best Team, plays their Best game in the final. The start of the Season is pure entertainment for the Fans and training for the Teams. The last 2 years in a row the Chiefs timed their run wrong and “Choked “. Not a word used when speaking about the Crusaders, EVER!!

Hamish Bidwell should put something behind his arrogant statement. He’s playing the weatherman game, he knows, if he gets it wrong, meh!

But he takes kudos for getting a 50/50 right.

Remember game #1.

Rob Penny took his front row off including Tamaiti Williams who was demolishing the Chiefs scrum and causing havoc all over the field. The Saders lost the second half and the game, meh? Yes meh! We lost Tamaiti first game last season a loss we didn’t recover from when added to Jordan, Scooter, Backadder , etc. Yet they beat The Blues in the last Round game. Oh that’s right the Chiefs ( qualified first ) then lost to the Blues, at home! With 🐄🔔S.

The Crusaders as a whole, from top down, know the season is decided at the end.

Not a team I would write off so easily.

As for the Cow Bells. If I had Chiefs supporters coming over to watch the game at mine. I would ask them to leave the bells at home, purely because they are so bloody annoying. My house my rules. Next year don’t lose in the “Finals” (joke), get the home final and tell the Crusaders to leave the horses at home (🤣🤣🤣).

I can’t wait the game will be awesome for so many reasons.

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