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Sam Cane: 'We'll do whatever we need to do to win test matches'
The All Blacks have laid down a significant marker to kick off their test campaign, smashing Ireland 35-12 at Eden Park to banish some of the misery of last year’s late-season loss in Dublin.
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It was the visiting side who burst out of the blocks quicker, however, with right wing Keith Earls fighting his way over the line from close range after a string of Irish phases inside the 22. While the All Blacks had been able to repel a number of likely attackers – with Scott Barrett and Sevu Reece both putting in try-saving tackles – Ireland were still able to take a lead 5-0 lead after their first attacking opportunity just six minutes into the fixture.
It could have been a long night for New Zealand, given the efficiency with which the Irish were able to score, but the All Blacks were able to bounce back at the end of the first quarter through Jordie Barrett – and then started to build some significant ascendency.
“I think prior to that (first try) they’d punched off the lineout then they’d kept shooting back down the short side and that was a theme that continued for the rest of the game,” said captain Sam Cane following the win. “The importance of that is making sure that we number up really well, don’t get too many caught on one side and get exposed on the other side. That, and then just making sure that as the one or two defenders in the tackle, we’re doing a really good job, we’re not letting them get go-forward which therefore gets quick ball. Those were the two keys there.
“We always thought the first 20 of the test match was going to be pretty brutal; it would come down to the collisions, making smart decisions, a bit of discipline and the kicking game. All those things combined.
“I felt like we started to get a bit of momentum and a bit of a roll on in that second 20 and the game started flowing for us, started creating opportunities. There were some boys breathing pretty heavy at times out there in the back-end of the second half. Those are areas and times in games when we really back ourselves to work hard and make the most of any opportunities we can.”
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Following Barrett’s five-pointer, Sevu Reece, Quinn Tupaea and Ardie Savea all touched down in the final 10 minutes of the first half to take a 28-5 lead, giving the touring Irish an impossible task heading into the second spell.
Both teams managed to dot down twice more following the break, with the All Blacks holding their 23-point lead at the end of the match – despite having to endure wave after wave of attacking sets from the visitors as the match drew to a close. New Zealand copped a handful of penalties in the final minutes of the game (and replacement prop Karl Tu’inukuafe was sent to the sin bin for repeated team infringements) and managed to hold the opposition up over the goal line on numerous occasions – which Cane suggested was indicative of the passion his teammates have for the black jersey.
“Even though we knew the game was won … I think it just reflects pride and attitude and what it means to pull on an All Blacks jersey and play at home and defend our line like that – [we] held them up numerous times.
“We’ve got to sort out our discipline so we don’t end up down there too much but it was good to see.”
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While having to make 50 more tackles than their opposition may not have been an ideal situation, Cane suggested they would take the wins however they could, even if had left them out of breath.
“We’ll do whatever we need to do to win test matches,” he said. “Throughout the squad, half the guys only played a couple of weeks ago in the Super Rugby final and then there’s a few that it’s been a little bit longer. And then it’s getting back into test match footy as well, which is another gear. It’s a good sign when we’re breathing hard – it means we’re working hard and that’s where the magic often happens.”
Having defeated Ireland at Eden Park, the All Blacks have now accomplished 10 years without defeat at the venue. NZ will once again take on the tourists next weekend under the roof in Dunedin.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
24 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
24 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
14 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
24 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
14 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
24 Go to comments