1
All Blacks captain Sam Cane facing surgery, long stint on the sidelines following pectoral injury
By Online Editors
Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane is to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season and undergo surgery after suffering a pectoral injury in the Chiefs versus Blues game on Saturday 27 March.
Scans and specialist examination have revealed a tear in Cane’s right pectoral tendon, and he will undergo surgery next week. His expected recovery time is four to six months post-surgery, ruling him out of part of the All Blacks season as well.
Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane said: “I’m obviously disappointed but also really positive that it’s an easy fix. I’m looking forward to getting into some rehab post-surgery and doing that really well, so I am coming back in good shape for the end of the rugby season, whatever rugby that maybe.”
“In the meantime, I will be supporting the Chiefs boys and doing whatever I can to keep them continuing to move in the right direction.”
Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “We really feel for Sam and wish him all the best for his upcoming surgery. While we know Sam will not take the field again this season, he will still play a massive role in our 2021 campaign.”
All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: “We are all disappointed for Sam, but we have full faith in the medical team around him and we wish him well for his surgery and rehabilitation.
“As All Blacks Captain, he will still play a key role in our planning for the 2021 season, and we look forward to him returning to the footy field once his rehab is complete.”
- Chiefs Rugby
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Bath Rugby turnover breaks £20m but losses increase
3
Edinburgh face anxious wait over Duhan van der Merwe
4
Multiple clubs swarming to lure Chris Harris from Gloucester
5
Latest Comments
Well deserved for a young talented, bright and humble player.
Go to commentsCane shouldn’t have been one last year, based purely on performances. Lakai is as close to a like for like of swap of Savea you’re ever likely to find, based on his short career so far at least. He has many of the same qualities - very strong ball carrier, great at the breakdown, and an absolute work horse on defence. I feel like he and Sititi could lead the way in the loose at the next WC.
I think we have become obsessed with replacing Kaino with someone exactly like him. Kaino was a perfect foil for the other loose forwards we had at the time. Based on the talent we have around at the moment those players could be made up in the aggregate by three players who are all exception all rounders - Lakai, Sititi, and Savea. Missing some height for sure but Sititi’s defensive work in the line out last year was phenomenal. He gets off the ground so quickly and was able to steal a couple of balls off the top of the springbok line out.
If our young locks coming through can actually stay fit long enough to get selected, it seems inevitable that Va’ai could end up in a hybrid 6/lock role.
Go to comments