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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.
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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.
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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 shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
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