‘A lot of hard work awaits us’ – Cane

Editor

All Black loose forward Sam Cane believes their 39-21 victory over Wales in the first of three Tests was a reminder of the differences between Super Rugby and the international scene.

The world champions are fully aware of the hard work that still needs to be done ahead of the second fixture in Wellington this Saturday.

Cane conceded it is seconds that matter more in Tests than Super Rugby and a couple of instances in the first-half highlighted that fact.

"The small reaction times and the consequences if things are off just a fraction [were crucial], but it was good to get back into it," Cane said.

"Those seconds in rugby at Test match level are critical. We were probably a little slow at times to transition from attack to defence and a couple of kicks where the bounce could have gone anywhere they got on the end of those so they put us under a wee bit of pressure there.

"From our point of view I thought their tackler was just there and we'd have to put an extra body in to get rid of him where we could be using that cleaner to remove another threat but it's always different every week so it's not a criticism, more an assessment than anything. It's still an area we'll get better at."

As far as the new leadership in the team was concerned, Cane said the good thing from his view was that all was calm on the field.

"We were put under a bit of pressure particularly at the back end of that first half and everyone was really calm. We made sure everyone was connected and messages were getting across and the same at half-time," he said.

"I thought we went out after half-time with a wee bit more spring in our step and I think that showed."