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Sam Cane pens heartfelt message to All Blacks fans after ‘brutal’ World Cup
By Finn Morton
All Blacks captain Sam Cane has penned a heartfelt message of support just over a week after New Zealand’s agonising defeat to rivals South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
The All Blacks and captain Cane can hold their heads up high after an inspirational run at the sport’s showpiece event. New Zealand were written before the tournament, but the All Blacks are the All Blacks after all.
While New Zealand stumbled at the first hurdle against hosts France in the tournament opener, the men in black continued to work behind the scenes with their goal of World Cup glory in mind.
After beating then-ranked World No. 1 Ireland in an incredible quarter-final, the All Blacks bested Argentina a week later to set up a date with destiny in the final.
But unfortunately for the All Blacks, they fell one point short. Captain Sam Cane was red carded midway through the first term and while the New Zealanders showed plenty of fight, the Springboks held on for a famous 12-11 win.
With the All Blacks now back home in New Zealand, and others preparing to embark on new challenges abroad, captain Cane has taken the time to thank All Blacks fans for their immense support before, during and after the World Cup.
‘It was a massive privilege to represent our country at the World Cup. It wasn’t the ending we all wanted and it's reminded me that sport can be quite brutal at times,” Cane wrote on Facebook this week.
“It’s hard to reflect without focusing on the final game but when able to look past that I feel lucky to have been a part of such an awesome group of people and feel pride in what we were able to overcome and achieve.
“The highlight for me was the support we received from home & our supporters throughout the tournament and since. It’s been truly incredible and all I can say is a big THANK YOU!”
Sam Cane is one of several All Blacks who will not play in Super Rugby Pacific next season, but that doesn’t mean his Test career is over.
Just days after the World Cup, New Zealand Rugby officially confirmed that Cane is off to Japan after taking up a sabbatical deal with Tokyo Sungoliath.
The 95-Test veteran will still be eligible to don the famous black jersey in July as New Zealand prepares to usher in the dawn of a new era under new coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson.
“When the opportunity to play for Suntory in 2024 came up it felt like the right time following the Rugby World Cup to try something new and also a great chance to continue to grow and learn in my rugby and life journey,” Cane said in a statement.
“I’m grateful to New Zealand Rugby for their support to take this opportunity.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to skip a season with the Chiefs, but I know the team is in a great place and has an incredible group of leaders in the squad and the coaching group to have a successful 2024, and I’m really pleased to be able to return in time to put my best foot forward for selection in the All Blacks.”
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Latest Comments
The manner of all these comments is that it doesn’t matter who plays No10 for the All Blacks, apparently they are all rubbish!
Seriously, people need to get a grip and stop obsessing over every tiny error made from an overscrutinised position. DMac was good this year for the most part, as was Beauden Barrett. Mo’unga was good last year and would be an asset in the group if he did come back. I don’t see it as an area of concern.
The main concern in 2025 is finding another world class lock and loose forward, followed by some scrutiny over the midfield combination in my view.
Go to commentsI was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
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