Sam Cane’s blunt response to All Blacks recall question after World Cup heartbreak
All Blacks back-row Sam Cane.
Sam Cane is looking forward to his return to the international arena after being named in the All Blacks’ matchday squad for their Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Auckland on Saturday.
After suffering a shock defeat to Los Pumas in last weekend’s corresponding fixture in Wellington, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has made some alterations to his matchday squad and one of those sees Cane returning as the replacement back-row in place of Wallace Sititi.
The experienced back-row‘s last appearance for his country was not a memorable one as it came during last year’s Rugby World Cup final defeat to the Springboks and he was red carded for a dangerous tackle on Jesse Kriel midway through the first half.
Since then, the 32-year-old spent some time in Japan where he played club rugby for Suntory Sungoliath before returning to New Zealand earlier this year.
Set for Test retirement at the end of 2024
In May, it was announced that Cane had signed a new three-year deal with Suntory Sungoliath but was still available for the All Blacks until the end of the 2024 Test season.
However, he underwent back surgery which kept him on the sidelines for New Zealand’s July internationals with England and Fiji but is now fully fit and set to make his first Test appearance of the year.
Despite not being in action at Test level for more than eight months, Cane believes he still has plenty to offer for the All Blacks.
When asked if it crossed his mind that he might not play for his country again, he said: “I don’t think I really thought that far ahead and thought of a worst-case scenario.
“I always believed that I would get back and that I had plenty to offer, still backed by my ability. Through rehab and coming back from surgery, you always get really zoned.
“You have to, from my experience, don’t think of the end result, because it seems so far away at times. Often it would be about getting through that training week and finishing the week in a better place than you started. Then often reset and sometimes just literally do the same week again and try and do it a bit better.”
Cane’s inclusion in the matchday squad for the Los Pumas clash means the All Blacks will have an extra leader in their ranks alongside captain Ardie Savea and his vice-captains Codie Taylor and Jordie Barrett.
He believes being part of the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad ahead of the tournament’s start has helped with him making a contribution in terms of his leadership skills.
“I think having been in from the start, even though having not been named in that first team, has allowed me to get a feel for where I can contribute and how I can fit in from a leadership point of view and how I can help,” said Cane.
“Certainly, like now, the last week and this week, I feel a lot more comfortable. I suppose at the start, you’re just conscious that you don’t want to be stepping on those boys’ toes.
‘It’s worked out well’
“I want them to lead the best that they can and just support them the best I can. I think the good part is between Ardie and Scooter (first choice skipper Scott Barrett), Jordie and Cody, we’ve all played a lot of rugby together, so it’s not like we don’t have an off-field relationship. It’s worked out well.”
As an experienced player with 95 Test caps under his belt, Cane has been through various situations with the All Blacks. He feels it is imperative that they move on from last week’s loss to Argentina if they want to turn the tables on their opponents this week.
“My experience is not trying to focus on all the (negatives), you know, because you’ll look at a loss and think, ‘Man, there’s so many things we could improve’,” he said.
“But just nailing a couple of big rocks that are going to make the biggest difference and then going out there with a mindset and an attitude of really taking the game to them, particularly for an All Black forward pack.”
