Cane, Ngatai Chiefs captains
New Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has continued the franchise’s shared leadership model and named Sam Cane and Charlie Ngatai as co-captains for the Super Rugby season.
For loose forward Cane it will be his third year as skipper, while midfielder Ngatai takes the role vacated by Aaron Cruden’s departure to France.
Cane and Ngatai co-captained in the Chiefs’ second and final preseason match against the Brumbies on the Sunshine Coast last Wednesday, but were only officially confirmed as the season’s skippers on Monday - just five days out from their season-opener.
Since Dave Rennie’s arrival as coach in 2012, the Chiefs had always run with the two-captain model, with the Highlanders the other New Zealand side employing the same thinking - with Ash Dixon and Ben Smith also providing both a forward and back leader.
Cane, 26, is well ensconced in the All Blacks leadership group having also captained the national side on two occasions - and sits on
95 caps for the Chiefs. Ngatai has a long association with Cooper, having captained both Taranaki and New Zealand Maori under his watch, so looked a natural fit as a leader, despite this being his last year with the franchise, before heading to Lyon on a two-year deal.
‘‘Great captain, I’ve had a lot of experience with Charlie... he’s outstanding,’’ Cooper said.
‘‘And of course [I’m] still building a relationship with Sam, he’s an All Black, he’s a very positive, strong leader also. So very lucky to have those two guys.’’
While according to Ngatai it won’t be him doing most of the talking, it was yesterday, however, with Cane skipping training after falling ill
After two years at the Hurricanes, Ngatai, 27, has earned
43 caps in his five seasons with the Chiefs, with the one-test All Black having also been plagued by longterm concussion issues during that time. But he is now determined to go out of Super Rugby on the best possible note.
The Chiefs open their campaign against the defending champion Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday night.
The visitors will be without utility back Tim Nanai-Williams, who looked sharp during the Brisbane Tens, but then injured his shoulder against the Brumbies and is to be assessed this week, as to whether he’ll need surgery.
Fellow back Sam McNicol (concussion) and props Mitchell Graham (leg) and Sefo Kautai (foot) are the others who won’t be considered this weekend.
Meanwhile, Cooper confirmed the Chiefs were keen on pursuing Etene Nanai-Seturo - the 18-yearold NZ Sevens representative who had been linked to them during the code-hopping contract row between New Zealand Rugby and the Warriors, which last Friday was eventually put to bed with a release granted from the NRL club.
‘‘Those conversations are happening, that’s all I know, I’m afraid.
‘‘Is he going to join the Chiefs this year - no. Obviously he’s a future player, and hopefully that’s working for the Chiefs.’’