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Ex-All Black winger's revelation on Ruben Love's future with All Blacks
By
Ben Smith
Former All Blacks winger and Hurricanes assistant coach Cory Jane has worked up close with fullback Ruben Love since he joined the Hurricanes system coming out of school.
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The latest All Black call-up made his Hurricanes debut back in 2021 after the club’s depth at No 10 was tested with injuries. Love slotted into the position and became a rookie sensation, starring in the unfamiliar role.
He has since assumed the fullback position at the club after Jordie Barrett’s permanent move to the midfield and established himself in 2024 as one of the best No 15s in the country.
The former All Black winger shared how he was impressed with Love’s drive and commitment to get better since arriving at the club.
“Just happy for Rubes, like I was a month or so ago, for for Billy, just seeing them over the last couple of years, and how much they really wanted, and especially Rubes,” Jane told SENZ Radio’s Scotty & Izzy show.
“I remember a few years ago, when I first came into the Canes and you know, he’d want to learn something, I think I told him about the high ball technique, and he went home, and I think he practiced about 300 in his backyard. And that’s the type of person he is.
“I had to sit down with him, and I said, mate, you know, it’s all right if you’re passing the ball or kicking the ball against the wall at home, but going home and jumping 300 times on the high ball, your knees will blow out by age 22.
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“But that just shows when he learns a technique or something that he can add to his game, he really, really works at it, and he’s done that this year in different aspects of his game.
“I’m excited or happy for him to be in the All Blacks, and I can’t wait for his opportunity to get out of the field.”
On whether Love can cover 10, Jane revealed that the long-term goal for Love is to have a crack at the position with the All Blacks.
“He trained there a little bit. I think he only played maybe 15 minutes or so at the back end of one game,” Jane explained.
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“He wants to get there. I just think you know, the normal progression for most 10s, Beaudey [Barrett] did the same thing… unless you’re Dan Carter or Andrew Mehrtens, but even Carter started at 12.
“So from different positions, they work their way into that into that spot [at 10]. So there’s no doubt he’ll get there, but I can’t really see it [yet] having a D-Mac or a Beauden somewhere floating around in in the team.
“So maybe at a pinch at the end of a Test match of if he’s needed, but I think his time will come at fullback.”
I witnessed Ruben love play at 10 in early outings for the canes and right there I saw another sensation in the making and to hav a mentor in Jane by his side is just like paying if forward. Can’t wait to see him in the 10 for the ABs. “Ahhhh Ritchie who”
Interesting. The canes need a playmaker in the midfield with jordie heading to Leinster next year. Wonder if they’ll give him a crack at 10. Has to be him or young Harry godfrey
Ruben Love is primed to play a huge role in the All Blacks moving forward especially post rwc 2027. With the slim picking of quality young 10s in the NZ pipeline it is reassuring to hear that an elite talent such as Love keeping the position on his radar.
No doubt he’ll benefit greatly from his exposure to the likes of Beaudy, Dmac and Will Jordan in the ABs environment. My prediction is that come rwc 2027, he has the talent to push for the starting 15 jersey with Will Jordan potentially moving back to the wing - assuming Beaudy maintains his impact role off of the bench. I believe his playmaking combined with elite athleticism could really elevate the potency of this already lethal ABs backline.