'People probably don't understand': Ex-All Black captain launches defence of Cane

Former All Black captain Kieran Read has leapt to the defence of current captain Sam Cane after British scribe Stuart Barnes of The Times called for the openside to be dropped.

Following the All Blacks 42-19 win over Ireland in the first test, Cane's input came under the spotlight by Barnes who questioned his performance at Eden Park.

The captain was labelled a 'liability' by Barnes who noted his missed tackle on Ringrose led to an Irish try. His ineffectiveness at the ruck and 'pressurising' ball carriers was also called out.

Former captain Read, who retired from international rugby following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, defended Cane's game which he said was 'built for test rugby'.

"I tell you what, a guy like Sam is bloody needed in test footy," Read told Stuff.co.nz.

"A lot of people probably don’t understand the arts of the breakdown, and being in position on defence, and getting off the line, and forcing them to play behind the advantage line, and hustling a ruck.

"And all that stuff, that’s his game. And I kind of think he’s actually built for test rugby."

"That’s the type of player you need. Because, we all know, hey, it can be all good on the front foot, you can throw in all these other guys, but when push comes to shove, the likes of Sam, it’s his kind of game that’s really needed.

"What you don’t see on TV is that work off the ball... all that stuff that commentators don’t really talk about.

"It’s a pretty important part of the game, and that’s the kind of stuff coaches reward than the special stuff sometimes."

Cane completed 14 of 15 tackles against Ireland in a 66 minute performance before being substituted for Blues openside Dalton Papalii.