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All Blacks captain receives first ever men's World Cup final red card against South Africa
By Josh Raisey
All Blacks captain Sam Cane has become the first player to ever receive a red card in a World Cup final for a high tackle on South Africa centre Jesse Kriel.
The flanker was shown a yellow card by referee Wayne Barnes on 27 minutes for making contact with the head of the South Africa outside centre, but it was upgraded to red a few minutes later, forcing the All Blacks to play over 50 minutes of the final with at least 14 players.
Cane's back row teammate Shannon Frizell had already been yellow carded earlier in the half for a dangerous clear out of South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi, which forced the South African off the field with a knee injury.
The All Blacks were trailing 9-3 when Cane was initially shown a yellow card, and it was upgraded just before Handre Pollard extended South Africa's lead to 12-3. Even with a player down, New Zealand were able to claw a penalty back before hal-time, as the sides went in with the scores 12-6.
No8 Ardie Savea replaced Cane as captain for the remainder of the match.
Cane spoke in the build up to the match about getting the balance between the head and the heart right.
He said: "A lot of it comes down to our preparation. We’ve got a lot of experience in this squad and it would be silly not to tap into some of that. We’ve been really clear how we have built how we want to play as a team. In terms of head and strategy we’re in a good place and with that comes confidence. There will be a high level of emotion and intent to start the game well, there always is.
"But we have played two knockout matches in a row and I trust we are in a good spot there. The boys have done a lot of physical and mental prep. Although it is a final, we just have to trust ourselves to go out there and play good footy."
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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