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All Black Sam Cane set for first Test start since 2023 World Cup Final
By Finn Morton
Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane is set to start a Test match for the first time since last year’s heartbreaking loss in the Rugby World Cup Final. Just like that decider for the sport’s ultimate prize, Cane will wear the famed No. 7 jersey against the Springboks.
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Cane became the first man to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup Final after a high shot on Jesse Kriel in the 29th minute last October. The backrower was initially shown a yellow card under review, with the TMO later determining the incident met the red card threshold.
“It’s something unfortunately I’m going to have to live with forever,” Cane told reporters that night in Saint-Denis. Cane has since announced that he’ll retire from international rugby at the end of 2024 but the 32-year-old will get at least one more chance to play the Boks.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named Cane at openside flanker in the absence of Dalton Papali’i. The All Black told RugbyPass earlier this week that there’s “nothing personal” about playing the Springboks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
The return of Cane is one of two changes to the First XV, and the other difference is quite significant as well. Current skipper Scott Barrett is back in the fold for the first time since New Zealand’s one-sided demolition of the Flying Fijians in San Diego last month.
Other than captain Barrett at lock and Cane at openside flanker, the rest of the forward pack appears to be of little surprise. Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax and Tupou Vaa’i join the All Blacks captain in the tight five.
Tasman Mako and Crusaders enforcer Ethan Blackadder has been named at blindside flanker for the third Test on the bounce after impressing against Argentina. Cane will man the other flank while the ever-reliable Ardie Savea is the starting No. 8.
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Once again, TJ Perenara will link up with Damian McKenzie in the halves. Outside of those two, Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane will combine in the midfield as they look to make an impact by both doing some damage themselves and providing quality ball to others outside them.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan are the two wingers, while former two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett has been given the nod at fullback.
On the bench, Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry and Samipeni Finau will look to add impact off the pine as forward cover. As for the backs, halfback Cortez Ratima, midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and winger Mark Tele’a are the reserves.
This Saturday’s highly anticipated Rugby World Cup Final ‘rematch’ between the Springboks and All Blacks at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park will kick-off at 5:00 pm local time.
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All Blacks team to take on Springboks in Johannesburg
First XV
- Tamaiti Williams
- Codie Taylor
- Tyrel Lomax
- Scott Barrett (c)
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Ethan Blackadder
- Sam Cane
- Ardie Savea
- TJ Perenara
- Damian McKenzie
- Caleb Clarke
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
- Beauden Barrett
Replacements
- Asafo Aumua
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- Fletcher Newell
- Sam Darry
- Samipeni Finau
- Cortez Ratima
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Mark Tele’a
Remember to hinge at the hips buddy
Theres better value having Tele'a in the starting team and Beauden coming off the bench. Otherwise theyve made the correct decisions everywhere else.
Are NZ opposed to a 6-2 split due to stubbornness or ideology? What's the point of having a utility player in virtually every position in the backline and not taking advantage of it? With DMac who can cover 15, JB who can cover 14 and 15, Reiko who can cover 11, Jordan who can cover 15, Barrett who can cover 10, and ALB who can cover 12 and 13 there is no reason to have outside back cover on the bench against the Springboks.
Exactly. Last thing you want is a tired Barrett going into 10, he needs to be on the bench if you're playing three.
Jordan to do much of the work from the back actually anyway, Beauden will be getting a free ride.
Think about it.
IDENTITY. You can cleary see they gonna run EVERYTHING or try to.
I agree with your point 100%.
That's where Erasmus is waaaay ahead of everbody else. He just thinks different.
The last two tests v RSA we played with 14 men for over 40+ minutes. If we keep 15 on the field the Boks haven't got a chance. I'm looking at you two, Sam Cane & Scott Barrett.
???
ABs play well at Ellis so a small chance. I think the series split 1-1 if RSA wins at Ellis and Rassie bloods a second team in Capetown. Would love to see this as ABs fans will poop their pants over the 'disrepect' when he names a 'B' team side. if RSA wins that second test, that would be properly epic
😂😂😂😂
ABs fans can only hope for a one win in this tour. They don't have the cattle to beat up the Boks like the Irish did in the 1st Test - curious how they play this one. I suspect the Boks will close ranks and play their old game to try and shave this one and go full Tony Brown the next one. Its heartening to think we still have Roigard coming back by the end of the year. But also Richie and Frizell by the next RWC - that way the weaknesses in different positions are plugged up ...
6 new players from starting 15 from RWC. For the boks we have 5 new players. Similar rebuild/reshape happening with both.