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Both carded in the World Cup final, Kolbe and Cane are now teammates
By Grant Constable
After a dramatic Rugby World Cup final that had completely different outcomes for each of them, Cheslin Kolbe and Sam Cane are now reunited a month later at Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan.
All Blacks skipper Cane was sent off in the final, as South Africa went on to win 12-11 in Paris, while Kolbe himself spent some time on the sidelines, yellow carded late in the game and unable to watch the final minutes.
They now get to share their war stories as teammates, donning the new Sungoliath kit with their team.
Cane signed a one-season deal and as it’s the first time he’s played outside of his home country, feels it will test him as a rugby player.
“A lot of the areas that I want to get better at in my game – speed, agility – are all required in this league,” said the 31-year-old loose forward.
“It will test me to evolve my game and I’m really looking forward to that.”
After six years in France, with both Toulouse and Toulon, exciting winger Kolbe arrives in Japan with his family, also ready for a new challenge.
“That’s one of the exciting things about this competition,” added Cane. “You’re playing against a lot of the top Japanese players and a lot of players who come from abroad.”
The new Japan Rugby League One season kicks off on December 9, with fellow New Zealanders Ardie Savea, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett also amongst the new arrivals.
While South African players are allowed to play abroad and still represent their country at test level, a ruling that has proved successful for the Springboks over the last two world cups, New Zealand players are not afforded the same luxury.
They players can not represent the All Blacks if they are based at overseas clubs. But Cane’s short team deal means he won’t miss any international games and will be up for selection come June next year, something he and incoming coach Scott Robertson reportedly discussed at length.
“Playing for the All Blacks, you have to earn that by playing well every week,” said Cane.
“I know the All Blacks coaches will be keeping an eye on some of us boys over here.
“The sole focus is just to play well, try and improve as a rugby player and hopefully have the opportunity of returning to the team again.”
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Latest Comments
But he chose rightly or wrongly to play for Tonga. If he wanted to play for the ABs why didn’t he hold off?
Go to comments“A succession of recent ex-players going straight back into the game as coaches in their early 40’s would prob be enough to kill it stone-dead. Innovation would die a death.”
Would it? I do think one of the major differences between rugby and most other sports - which we’ve been overlooking - is the degree to which players are expected to lead team meetings & analysis sessions and the like. Someone like Owen Farrell has basically been an assistant coach already for ten years - and he’s been so under a variety of different head coaches with different expectations and playing styles.
“The most interesting ppl I have met in the game have all coached well into their sixties and they value the time and opportunity they have had to reflect and therefore innovate in the game. That’s based on their ability to compare and contrast between multiple eras.”
I don’t doubt that that’s true. But having interesting insights doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best able to inspire a team, or the best at managing the backroom staff.
“Wayne Smith winning the WWC in his mid sixties three years ago prob means nothing to you but it meant a lot to him. It took him back to the roots of is own coaching journey.”
I don’t doubt that! But I don’t think coaches should be hired on the basis that it means a lot to them.
“The likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Wayne Bennett and Andy Reid all have a tale to tell. You should open your ears and listen to it!”
I agree! Never have I ever suggested otherwise!
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