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Robertson on why Sam Cane keeps starting for the All Blacks
By Ben Smith
Former captain Sam Cane has been named at openside in Scott Robertson’s side to take on the Wallabies in an unchanged back row from the second Test against South Africa.
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The 32-year-old trained with the All Blacks during the July series against England but didn’t make his international comeback until the start of the Rugby Championship against Argentina, appearing off the bench.
Cane has been handed two starts since, in both Tests against the Springboks and will line up for his third straight against the Wallabies.
On whether the selection is form-based, head coach Scott Robertson said the leadership and experience he brings to the team was also a factor.
“It’s a bit of that [form], his experience,” Robertson said.
“I think the value of his experience in and off the field, his ability to get high tackle counts and be really accurate, soak the opposition ball up has been a big factor for us.”
Cane’s resurgence has meant Blues flanker Dalton Papali’i has rarely been seen, with the reserve bench spot used by the likes of Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau. Jacobson again will take the No 20 jersey against Australia.
Although with Cane having already announced his retirement from Test rugby at the end of the year, Robertson is conscious of the fact that this is a “swan song” for the ex-captain.
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“Look, we’re mindful, you know, this is a swan song. You know, when does the song stop. Can I say that? We have those conversations,” he said.
“But he’s in good form, and it’s just what we need. He’s got a good balance for us, and he’s great for for Scott Barrett and for Ardie and the team so and he’s playing well.”
At some point the All Blacks will have to look to the No 7 of the future and with young gun Wallace Sititi a more natural No 8, a move for Ardie Savea to openside has been suggested.
Robertson said that the coaching group have had discussions around such a plan, but that they have picked an experienced side out of “respect for Australia”.
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“We considered that,” Robertson said of the back row re-shuffle, “We know Ardie can play seven, and Wallace has played a lot at eight.
“Other than the scrums, its just playing footy really in a lot of ways. He has been considered but for this test, you know, we’ve picked an experienced group, a group that’s played recently together, and played Bledisloe Cup matches.
“And it’s a sign of respect to the Aussies, because we know they’ll come in and the score the last week is irrelevant.”
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
The obvious answer is the correct answer - it's 'take your grandpa to work' season...
because out of the whole of New Zealand, they can’t find anyone better?
Just asking a question, but you've got a 7 playing at 8, an 8 playing at 6...? Why persist with players out of position at test level?
I think they should drop Dalton Papali’i for the end of year tour and take Peter Lakai instead to apprentice under Cane.
That way, Pete learns from the best and Dalton will get a shock and sort his game out.
Because until he moves on and Razor chjoses a new boy or shifts Ardie back, hes the best we have
"Sam Cane" will retire after this season. DOES NOT MAKE SENSE to keep playing him. He WON't be there again. Like EVER?
Still helpful to transition and mentor other players. Coaches have also been experimenting with the loosies combination I think he's shown to the coaches that you need a workhorse type player like him in the loose mix somewhere if you want to use power loosies like savea, sititi etc. Not sure yet who will fill that role Blackadder probably plays most similar to him in the current squad
And yet Boks keep selecting players until their very end (see Leroux, Eben, Malherbe, etc etc)
I wonder if that's a suggestion if he can get to 100 caps in time to not be asked to come of the EOYT? JRLO will be in full swing in Nov I think?
Otherwise you hope theres more insight than just playing these guys while in form, like Beauden Barrett, until theyre not in form again.
I think Wellington test would be the 100th game. With Roigard returning, I wonder if the Wellington game will also be a last swansong for Perenara at his home ground
Sam Cane's combo with Ardie is the reason why he's still there. They were the difference for us in the Bok tests but they can't do it all. He deserves his swansong but Sititi should be playing eight as much as possible leading into the Northern tests with Cane to six. It's not a long term fix but it's the best in form trio we've got, unless they get brave and try Vaa'i or Scooter there. Blackadder's best place is cover from the bench.
Yep, exactly, they need a real cruncher at six (if no Cane at seven) and a cleaner, someone ready to graft. Who better than a lock? I think it would take a bit of pressure off a captain if it was Scott to move there rather than Vaa'i. I also think Scott probably has more mobility potential than Vaa'i.
Barretts graft added to the loosies allows you to play Ardie at seven. Dalton might be a better choice against physical sides with Ardie finishing? Dont' mind EB covering 7 though.
Why? The ABs are a product. When your product is inferior you lose your customers. Every time they have their product on display it must perform so you put your best available team on the field. He might be a s%^t macaw but he's still a good player. The rwc send off was a tough call and he should not be punished further for it. He was not sanctioned beyond that game. His game against Ireland and the same rwc got us to that final. There is plenty of time to transition later.
The idea is that you are not creating the best 'product' by putting you're best team out there week after week. It's a clear comparison to Rassie's style I'm sure I don't need to exaplain.
Strange one. Putting more caps into someone who isn’t in the future plan. Genuinely mind boggling. Also a red card risk with his technique
Exactly, huge Crusaders bias coming through. Dalton was solid and had played all season and doesn't give away red cards and will only get better. Sevu Reece is previously discarded, short and terrible under the high ball but somehow Mark Telea isn't any longer good enough to be New Zealands best right winger and has now dropped below not one but two Crusaders. Some really dumb selecting with Jordan not good enough against the best physical teams. Saves his worst performances against the Boks.
As for the selecting it's a constant rehash of players we have known for a decade. Why isn't Josh Lord getting minutes against the woeful Wallabies?
Someone knock on Razors war room and tell him he needs to cap about fifty new Allblacks so he can build depth. Lakai, AK Lam, Payton Spencer, Zarn Sullivan, locks, props.
Ardies a seven, get younger guys running hard off the back rather than the 'leg drive and post contact metres' of a 31 year old that gets himself isolated and will be in his mid thirties in 2027 and three years of playing for NZ's worst rugby franchise
I guess Foster should have dropped all those longterm stars that played the WC final. Lets face it they wernt the future......... 1 red card in 98 tests. And that was a fake TMO BS card too.