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Sure, Sam Cane’s no Richie McCaw, but who is?
You can tell the All Blacks are suddenly Rugby World Cup contenders.
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Yes, with deft timing, English rugby expert Stuart Barnes has opined that captain Sam Cane isn’t worthy of a place in New Zealand’s best loose trio and could be an impediment to the team’s success in France.
It’s not an argument without merit. But one that’s been had and lost – depending on your point of view – meaning Cane will continue to lead the All Blacks out during the tournament, fitness permitting.
If you follow politics in New Zealand, you’ll be aware the main opposition party appears poised to unseat the government, in October’s general election. As poll after poll paints a dispiriting picture for the incumbents, out roll the media think pieces suggesting the opposition leader is a liability and should be rolled.
It’s an attempt to create instability where none exists.
And so it is with Barnes and Cane.
Look, I’m not an enormous Cane enthusiast and have never pretended to be.
But I accept he’s a fixture in the All Blacks’ first-string side and it’ll only be an absence of durability that changes that.
Either way, I don’t see his presence or absence as being a big determinant in the Rugby World Cup outcome.
Rugby World Cup
Pool A
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
France
0
0
0
0
0
2
Italy
0
0
0
0
0
3
Namibia
0
0
0
0
0
4
New Zealand
0
0
0
0
0
5
Uruguay
0
0
0
0
0
Pool B
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Ireland
0
0
0
0
0
2
Romania
0
0
0
0
0
3
Scotland
0
0
0
0
0
4
South Africa
0
0
0
0
0
5
Tonga
0
0
0
0
0
Pool C
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Australia
0
0
0
0
0
2
Fiji
0
0
0
0
0
3
Georgia
0
0
0
0
0
4
Portugal
0
0
0
0
0
5
Wales
0
0
0
0
0
Pool D
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Argentina
0
0
0
0
0
2
Chile
0
0
0
0
0
3
England
0
0
0
0
0
4
Japan
0
0
0
0
0
5
Samoa
0
0
0
0
0
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If the All Blacks are to recover from three or four fairly underwhelming years of footy – and unexpectedly be crowned world champions again – I sincerely doubt it’ll be because of whoever’s wearing the No.7 jersey.
As I’ve written before, the team’s prospects depend on the authority of their tight-five and the shots called by halfback Aaron Smith and first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga.
If the engine room fires and the playmakers are smart, then the All Blacks have a legitimate shot at the title. But if the All Blacks can’t compete in the set pieces and are without vigour at the breakdown, then there won’t be a flaming thing Smith and Mo’unga can do about it.
In that sense, Cane is a peripheral figure. A guy to run out onto the pitch first, speak at press conferences and contribute to the overall culture of the team.
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It’ll be Smith, Mo’unga and whatever combination of locks Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett and Brodie Retallick running the show on the paddock.
The other part is there is no blindingly obvious – or demonstrably better – alternative to Cane on the openside.
Ardie Savea is ensconced at No.8 and Dalton Papalii doesn’t demand selection at 7.
So, in the same way I dismiss the idea that Christopher Luxon should be rolled as leader of the opposition National Party, so I roll my eyes at Barnes’ assertions about Cane.
Sure, Cane’s no Richie McCaw, as Barnes points, but who is? Talk about stating the obvious.
McCaw sits among the all-time greats, while Cane will be remembered as a fine man who did his best. It’s chalk and cheese.
The All Blacks are a team on the rise and going after the skipper only shows the rest of the world are worried about it.
Kiwis can watch the worst ever All Black Team, with the worst ever All Black Coach, with the worst ever All Black Captain, play the worst ever game in All Black history, with the worst ever loss in All Black History and still make excuses.
Over the next 10 days the Worst Ever New Zealand Rugby Union Board will be "SACKED" together with the worst Ever CEO Mark Robinson. Everyone in NZ Rugby, including the players have been "Hiding" and suddenly the "Springboks" brought down the House of Bullshit"
Barnes would appear to be no expert, but judging by the timing of his facile comments he could be called a shit stirrer.
I don't see Cane as a captain, but he is a hard worker. Comparing him with other captains is stupid.
The team is picked, the World Cup is around the corner, so let's just focus on constructive analysis.
Sam Cane is our best 7 WHEN HE'S FIT & AVAILABLE & should always be selected AS A PLAYER, when available, imo. The problem for me is his captaincy, in this regard he's Mr Invisible.
Since taking over as Skipper he's only played 21 test matches out of a possible 39, & that's not including the times he went off injured, (think Boks at Mt Smart where he missed the whole 2nd half). This "now you see him now you don't" leadership model hurts the ABs. The one thing great leaders do, they always turn up - Umaga, McCaw, Read, to name 3.
Given Cane's injury history though, I expect Ardie will step in (should've been RWC skipper anyway imo).
Stuart who? Nothing wrong with SC. He won't be able to play every game but if he is fit for the knock outs, no way we would start DP. I'd actually play Luke Jacobson or AS on the open side at put DP at 8, or leave em at home altogether.
Barnes is right. Cane is well past it and shouldnt be in the team fullstop
Blues fan too, Flatcoat, but if you're blaming Dalton's captaincy for the Blues' capitulation this year, let's also look at Sam's efforts in the first half at Dunedin - and how well the ABs have done without him on the paddock in the previous tests. There's no arguing that when Dalton got a consistent run on the northern tour last year, he was mightily impressive - that's what Stuart Barnes will be measuring Sam by - and rightly finding him wanting, both on the tackle and the carry.
Sam is back in fine form this year and our best 7. Barnes is a kiwi supporter but has not really observed the transformation of the Abs as closely as our crazy passionate fans have. As with most comments here I fully support him. We are a good chance at the cup for sure and Sam is the leader. He is a torpedo of a defender and he brings the hits hard and often. Just hope his body copes.
Well if anyone would know anything about a player lacking ability to perform at international level.... it would be surely be Stuart Barnes. After all he has form in this particular category & his penchant for unbalanced inaccurate myopic journalism has no equal. Can't honestly even call him a has been either as he didn't get there in the first place to refer to him as that. Handy in one respect though..... I have no trouble sleeping after reading his inspiring drivel.
Love Barnes hate for all things NZ. If he says Cane is no good then he does it because deep down in his heart he knows Cane is better than anyone in England just like the ABs are better than any team the English can put together. He’s a whiny crybaby sook
Agree Hamish. Dalton hasn't convinced me he's better than Sam. Definitely not this season. Never felt Barnes was the most astute journalist, no matter what his playing background. Yes, Cane had a horrible missed tackle against Aus but is one of our hardest tacklers and great at the clean. I'd put Harmon above Papali'i on current form.