The appointment of Sam Cane as All Blacks skipper has divided opinion
Kieran Read’s ascension to the captain of the All Blacks was a foregone conclusion after Riche McCaw retired following the 2015 World Cup, but there was uncertainty who would take over following the No8’s retirement at the end of the 2019 World Cup. While it was known for much of last year that Read would be retiring, his successor was never suggested, partly because Steve Hansen was also stepping down as head coach as well.
Although nothing was set in stone, Sam Whitelock emerged as the favourite among many pundits and fans, and new coach Ian Foster’s decision to appoint Sam Cane as the All Blacks new skipper has blindsided some fans. This is not to say the Chiefs openside was not in contention for the role, but some supporters have their reservations about the decision.
There are indeed many who are in favour of this choice, not only because of the 28-year-old’s prowess in a No7 shirt but due to his demeanour off the field and as an ambassador for the game.
The main concern among fans is that Cane is not necessarily an automatic starter for the All Blacks. This was brought into sharp focus in the RWC semi-final against England where he started on the bench as Hansen opted for Scott Barrett and Ardie Savea as his two flankers (although that was not necessarily a successful ploy as the ABs were beaten).
The 63-cap flanker has a long-running battle with Savea to play at openside and while the Hurricanes star can play across the back row, there are many other players competing for the three spots as well. This may actually be an indication by Foster that Savea could even move to No8 to fill the void left by Read, as his form in 2019 put him in the ‘undroppable’ category.
Sam Whitelock will forever be a great AB but Sam Cane has better leadership trust me.
— Buyos.7?? (@buyos27) May 5, 2020
Was there another option? Captain Cane all the way!!
— Craig M (@diminutiverowdy) May 5, 2020
Sam Cane appointed as the new All Blacks Captain. I would've given it to Sam Whitelock or Brodie Retallick!
— Melu Lesa ?????? (@melu2305) May 5, 2020
Sam Cane new All Black captain
What happened to Sam Whitelock who was a great stand in captain for so many games when Reid was injured?— Kominsens (@kominsens) May 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/tomw067/status/1257602605494067200?s=20
https://twitter.com/SenorDaveSt/status/1257622747515142145?s=20
There were also concerns surrounding Whitelock as captain, as well as Brodie Retallick. Both players decided to have stints in Japan, which may have played against them in this decision process. Furthermore, the Crusaders lock Whitelock is now 31 and there is no guarantee he will be at the top of the pile come 2023.
Likewise, Cane’s injury issues over the past two years – chiefly his broken neck – have been a concern for some. But Foster’s contract is only for two years, so he is not looking ahead to the RWC in France in the same way some fans are.
Decisions like this are always contentious, but the succession plan for the All Blacks captaincy has been fairly straightforward over the past two decades… from Reuben Thorne to Tana Umaga, to McCaw to Read. In this instance, though, it has been slightly more complex.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments