1
‘So impressed’: Why Sam Cane has been the Chiefs’ best player this season
By Finn Morton
The undefeated Chiefs have been sensational in Super Rugby Pacific this season, but there’s one player who has impressed former All Black Ian Jones more than any other.
Looking back at last year’s end-of-season tour, All Blacks captain Sam Cane appeared to be under genuine pressure – and arguably still is ahead of the World Cup.
Cane was ruled out of the Autumn Nations Series after sustaining an injury during the win over Japan in October, and Blues flanker Dalton Papali’i made the most of the opportunity.
Papali’i starred in the coveted No. 7 jersey during the thrilling win over Scotland, and impressed once again during the 25-all draw with England at Twickenham.
All Blacks great Ian Jones questioned whether Cane was “good enough” start over Papali’i during key games at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
But Jones has clearly changed his tune.
The Chiefs have won all six of their matches this season, and Cane has played a big role in their success. In fact, Jones said the flanker has been the Chiefs’ best player so far.
“I’ve just been so impressed really… (with) the level of performance and the standards that our All Black captain has set for the Chiefs,” Jones said on SENZ’s Chiefs Mana.
“You’d arguably have to say he’s been the player of the team so far within the Chiefs.
“Both sides of the ball (he’s been immense) but his defensive work and his energy that he brings to that team, others can rise up to it like a Brodie Retallick, who we know has got that big engine.
“Those two guys have been phenomenal and we can talk about McKenzie with that spark and Shauny as well, but I think it’s just been that level from the senior players which has allowed everyone else in the squad to come up and perform at the level that we’ve seen.”
The Chiefs started their season with a stunning win over the champion Crusaders in Christchurch – for a squad of world-class players, they’ve well and truly lived up to their reputations this season.
Fullback Shaun Stevenson has been one of the players of the competition so far, while All Blacks Brodie Retallick and Damian McKenzie have also stood out.
“What Clayton McMillan has done is his consistency in selection has been really vital for what they’ve achieved,” he added.
“Big minutes from Sam Cane, big minutes when he has to from Brodie Retallick, Damian McKenzie when he’s there, Shaun Stevenson… they’re the guys (that) have been a really good benchmark.
“He’s been able to bring players in and out, of course hopefully going forward we’re going to have Anton Lienert-Brown coming back in the midfield.
“That’s going to bring a lot more energy and spark as well which is going to be a good thing for this tournament.”
The Chiefs face arguably their biggest test yet as they look to keep their unbeaten streak alive in round eight.
Following their bye, the Hamilton-based outfit will travel south to the capital where they’ll take on the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Hurricanes have lost one game this season – a thriller against the Blues – but sit first on the ladder.
Currently equal on points with the Chiefs, the winner of this highly anticipated New Zealand derby will occupy first place on the Super Rugby Pacific standings.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode
5
Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
Go to comments