'It's the start of a new era': Cane ready to lead All Blacks against Wallabies
From the Rugby Championship scheduling saga to Beauden Barrett’s late scratching, there’s no shortage of distractions and disruptions for the All Blacks to contend with before the opening Bledisloe Cup test.
Sam Cane had enough on his plate as he prepares to start his new era, after assuming the captaincy from Kieran Read, by leading the All Blacks out for their first test of the year against the Wallabies tomorrow in Wellington, where they’ll be keen to rectify a one-from-four run of recent tests.
Cane, however, believes the All Blacks will adapt to Barrett’s late withdrawal, which brings Damian McKenzie into fullback while covering Richie Mo’unga at No 10. The new skipper is also confident his team has not expended too much wasted energy worrying about the Rugby Championship schedule that was finally finalised on Thursday.
“In the last couple of weeks things were always changing but I’ve enjoyed the process of this week because from Monday we’ve been focused on footy and preparing for a test match and that’s something we haven’t done for a long time,” Cane said after Barrett was ruled out with a minor Achilles injury this afternoon. “When you do that, and you’re putting all your energy into a good performance, that other stuff goes from your mind.
“It’s the start of a new era and the Bledisloe Cup is on the line. We want to put the first mark in the sand in winning that.”
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Cane has been forced to bide his time since being appointed All Blacks captain in February. With that prolonged eight-month wait almost over, Cane is intent on continuing the All Blacks dominance over the Wallabies that extends to holding the Bledisloe for the past 17 years.
“Excitement is probably an understatement it’s been a long time coming hasn’t it? There’s a wee bit of a different feel in the environment just because there’s been a few changes. I put in a wee bit of work at the start of the week connecting with the leaders and enabling them to lead as well which has allowed me to relax and focus on my own preparation too.”
Cane lines up alongside resurgent blindside Shannon Frizell and Ardie Savea in the loose forward trio, with Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu eager to make his debut off the bench in front of his mum, dad, two sisters, brother and partner, all of whom ventured from Auckland to Wellington to witness his maiden test.
“I know they’ll be crying in the stand somewhere,” Sotutu said as he reflected on a whirlwind season in which his goal at the start of the year was to start for the Blues.
“Thinking a year ago I was playing at a sevens tournament with my club, Auckland Marist. A year later possibly making a test debut is pretty crazy.
“More than anything coming into the environment is a bit scary because it’s a highly looked at team with all the history behind it and all the players that have gone through the jersey. Meeting some of the older boys from around the country they’re all pretty easy to get along with.
“I’m pretty good at keeping relaxed until it comes game time. Yesterday when we had a training at Sky Stadium the nerves started to kick in a little bit. I was thinking the stadium would be packed and I’ll be singing the national anthem. For sure, when it’s kickoff I’ll be nervous but hopefully by the time I get on I’ll be back down to ground zero.
“I’m confident in myself. I believe that if I get the chance to go on and get ball in hand I’ll go pretty well. Until that comes I’ve got to stay ready.”
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Cane expects the new-look Wallabies, under his former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie and in captain Michael Hooper’s 100th test, to seriously test the All Blacks this weekend.
“If I know Dave Rennie he’ll drive into his side that they work hard and fight for every inch,” Cane said. “They’ll be very physical but like to use the ball too so there won’t be any moments where we can switch off.
“Hoops is a seriously impressive and combative man. He’s played a heck of a lot of footy and I think we’re a similar age. Congratulations to him, we’ll be doing our best to spoil his party but it’s no mean feat and he’s been an outstanding servant for Australian rugby.”
The last duty left for Cane before getting his captaincy reign underway will be delivering the final pre-match messages.
“It will be about backing ourselves, trusting that we’ve put in the work, and knowing it’s going to be a heck of a test match – these ones always are. It will be physical. It will be fast. It will test us all physically and mentally. That’s what we want.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments