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Scott Robertson on why the All Blacks ‘need’ Sam Cane against Springboks
By Finn Morton
Coach Scott Robertson expects former captain Sam Cane to be “that Test veteran we need” on Saturday evening when the All Blacks take on the Springboks in Johannesburg. Cane has been named in the All Blacks’ starting side for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.
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Cane told RugbyPass earlier this week that there’s “nothing personal” about this Test. The backrower was just eager for another opportunity to take on the world champion Springboks and he’ll get that chance at the formidable cauldron that is Ellis Park.
The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner returned to the international arena a couple of weeks ago after being named on the bench in New Zealand’s clash with Argentina in Auckland. Cane didn’t look out of place off the pine, finishing as one of the game leaders for tackles completed.
That was stage one in Cane’s competitive return to the international arena. Before retiring from Test rugby at the end of the year, the openside flanker can play more important parts in helping the All Blacks build towards greatness under coach Robertson.
Cane will wear the famed No. 7 jersey on Saturday evening. The openside flanker joins Ethan Blackadder and Ardie Savea in a formidable backrow trio, while Dalton Papali’i has been ruled out of the highly anticipated Test with an injury.
“Sam has been incredible off the field for us. Now’s an opportunity for him to be that Test veteran we need in the Highveld; all that experience and that calmness but also really good, tough shoulders,” Robertson told reporters on Thursday.
“We’re excited for him.
“Dalton’s got a bit of a thumb injury which ruled him out but there’s not much in it. Dalton played really, really well but we thought that was best for this Test and combinations.
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“Obviously, Ethan’s (Blackadder) in great form and you’ve got Ardie Savea out there so it’s a good balanced loose forward trio.”
Robertson and the other coaches have selected an All Blacks team that doesn’t really include any big surprises. Whether or not Cane was going to get a start was a potential point of discussion, but the rest of the 23 almost seemed to pick itself.
Tamati Williams is a logical replacement for the injured Ethan de Groot at loosehead prop, and selecting the in-form Tupou Vaa’i ahead of Sam Darry at lock is another sensible decision. TJ Perenara is at nine, Jordie Barrett at 12, and brother Beauden Barrett will line up at fullback.
With experienced campaigners Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Anton Lienert-Brown also set to provide some impact off the pine, this seems to be a team that ticks a lot of boxes. There’s experience across the park and as ‘Razor’ Robertson explained, that’ll be important.
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“It’s an iconic field, the ground, the whole experience. You want to have experienced it before, as many players as you possibly can because it’s going to help you in those times of need,” Robertson said.
“(There’s) going to be some tough moments out there as we know.
“That composure and tone of voice and the next action word that’s required that they’ll deliver it but also deliver themselves and they know what it takes.”
Hasnt played for months...massive risk. He will be knackered after 20 mins.
Imagine if the All Blacks coaches were completely normal and logical people and Ardie played at 7, the best player from the best forward pack in the best SR team was at 8, and there was room for Blackadder, Finau and another loosie or lock because we had a 6-2 bench split.
Doing the obvious thing is so foreign to the ABs set up now that people would probably call it innovation.
It would be, the continual fascination of trying to prove their DNA is enough to beat the bad guys is certainly not innovation anymore.
I would like to see that make up just to be able to experience it. However, after both the best SR six and eight are failing to impress a level below in Bunnings I highly suggest they are overrated, and their credit is more due Cotter.
Jase Ryan obviously doesn't rate Sotutu so that's that argument quashed. And yeah, Savea will play the exact same game regardless of his jersey so all you do is lose his speed/power of the back of the scrum....don't hate the idea of him at 7 but it's about getting the right balance in there so we can maximise his talents, he's the most world-class player we have.
I also hope we never adopt a 6-2 split - Razor is meant to be a great innovator.
I'd have thought it normal and logical to play the reigning world player of the year in the position that he won the award in, and has played for the last four years at both test and Super Rugby levels.
A modern All Black 7 spends all his time tackling and hitting rucks. That would be a waste of the reigning world player of the year whose superpowers are ball in hand.
Razor is caught in a situation where he may want to make changes but logically with the calibre of the opposition feels he can’t
England certainly wasn’t the right time to do it first up
Bit with the players have left to go overseas or retired
He did try some against Fiji in only his third game
Then he had a loss then he’s got the Boks
I’m sure these changes will happen but perhaps consider the WPOTY might want to play 8 too?
But personally I’d like to see Sititi at 8
Ardie at 7
And if they can mould him and he has the right attitude Finau at 6
We will find out shortly if Blackadder cuts it against the best
Test veteran Sam Cane gets the nod from head coach Scott Robertson and obviously forwards coach Jason Ryan to take the field against most of the winning RWC 2023 champions on Saturday...for mine their brief would probably be about him playing a bit more than 28 minutes....to watch out for Ebens forearm and ensure Jesse doesn't step back into his shoulder again...hopefully yellow and red cards aren't an issue this weekend...Go the AB's...80 minutes of 15 against 15...win or lose....leave it on Ellis Park...
It is all about his redemption story, for sure!
It's 20min reds I think
Sometime being a Test veteran is not enough. This guy won't make Boks, France, Ireland or England 23.
Way better player than your 8 come flanker guy.
Sam Cane would. He is a great player, despite the red. He is a great leader for the AB's too. Experience can't be bought. The calm he is bringing. He is a hard working player, who gets the team on the front, making the hard yards, the big tackles, doing the dirty work. If he was a Bok, he would be seen as one of the world's best. The Boks environment would elevate most players. Sam Cane played great in a team that hasn't performed like they can for a number of years and if not for him, the AB's would not have reached the WC final. Sam Cane is World Class. His personality is World Class. He is going to give the Boks a massive headache on Saturday as usual.