'I'm not quite in good enough shape to be playing test footy': Sam Cane's stark admission
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
David Havili may have started at No 12 in most All Blacks tests this year, but Quinn Tupaea offers something that Havili cannot. #AllBlacks
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 25, 2021
“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.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
3 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
3 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to comments