1
Sure, Sam Cane’s no Richie McCaw, but who is?
You can tell the All Blacks are suddenly Rugby World Cup contenders.
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Yes, with deft timing, English rugby expert Stuart Barnes has opined that captain Sam Cane isn’t worthy of a place in New Zealand’s best loose trio and could be an impediment to the team’s success in France.
It’s not an argument without merit. But one that’s been had and lost – depending on your point of view – meaning Cane will continue to lead the All Blacks out during the tournament, fitness permitting.
If you follow politics in New Zealand, you’ll be aware the main opposition party appears poised to unseat the government, in October’s general election. As poll after poll paints a dispiriting picture for the incumbents, out roll the media think pieces suggesting the opposition leader is a liability and should be rolled.
It’s an attempt to create instability where none exists.
And so it is with Barnes and Cane.
Look, I’m not an enormous Cane enthusiast and have never pretended to be.
But I accept he’s a fixture in the All Blacks’ first-string side and it’ll only be an absence of durability that changes that.
Either way, I don’t see his presence or absence as being a big determinant in the Rugby World Cup outcome.
Rugby World Cup
Pool A
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
France
0
0
0
0
0
2
Italy
0
0
0
0
0
3
Namibia
0
0
0
0
0
4
New Zealand
0
0
0
0
0
5
Uruguay
0
0
0
0
0
Pool B
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Ireland
0
0
0
0
0
2
Romania
0
0
0
0
0
3
Scotland
0
0
0
0
0
4
South Africa
0
0
0
0
0
5
Tonga
0
0
0
0
0
Pool C
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Australia
0
0
0
0
0
2
Fiji
0
0
0
0
0
3
Georgia
0
0
0
0
0
4
Portugal
0
0
0
0
0
5
Wales
0
0
0
0
0
Pool D
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Argentina
0
0
0
0
0
2
Chile
0
0
0
0
0
3
England
0
0
0
0
0
4
Japan
0
0
0
0
0
5
Samoa
0
0
0
0
0
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If the All Blacks are to recover from three or four fairly underwhelming years of footy – and unexpectedly be crowned world champions again – I sincerely doubt it’ll be because of whoever’s wearing the No.7 jersey.
As I’ve written before, the team’s prospects depend on the authority of their tight-five and the shots called by halfback Aaron Smith and first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga.
If the engine room fires and the playmakers are smart, then the All Blacks have a legitimate shot at the title. But if the All Blacks can’t compete in the set pieces and are without vigour at the breakdown, then there won’t be a flaming thing Smith and Mo’unga can do about it.
In that sense, Cane is a peripheral figure. A guy to run out onto the pitch first, speak at press conferences and contribute to the overall culture of the team.
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It’ll be Smith, Mo’unga and whatever combination of locks Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett and Brodie Retallick running the show on the paddock.
The other part is there is no blindingly obvious – or demonstrably better – alternative to Cane on the openside.
Ardie Savea is ensconced at No.8 and Dalton Papalii doesn’t demand selection at 7.
So, in the same way I dismiss the idea that Christopher Luxon should be rolled as leader of the opposition National Party, so I roll my eyes at Barnes’ assertions about Cane.
Sure, Cane’s no Richie McCaw, as Barnes points, but who is? Talk about stating the obvious.
McCaw sits among the all-time greats, while Cane will be remembered as a fine man who did his best. It’s chalk and cheese.
The All Blacks are a team on the rise and going after the skipper only shows the rest of the world are worried about it.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe 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?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 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
4 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 comments