Brave path to leadership
Had an operation on his neck not been a success in South Africa in 2018, Sam Cane could have been watching the All Blacks from a wheelchair.
It’s a sobering reminder of the dangerous occupation the new All Blacks skipper, a 68-test flanker, signed-up for when he joined the Chiefs as a professional in 2011.
A collision with Springboks back rower Francois Louw in Pretoria in October 2018 left Cane in considerable pain and, in hindsight, he admitted he shouldn’t have walked from the field at Loftus Versfeld because if the fracture on the side of his neck had been aggravated he could have been left paralysed.
Following surgery a few days later Cane said he was thankful his massive neck has helped save him from serious injury because ‘‘I may not be standing without it’’.
Cane, 28, doesn’t lack courage. He returned to work in 2019, and was selected for the All Blacks squad for the World Cup in Japan.
On Tuesday night All Blacks coach Ian Foster confirmed Cane would replace Kieran Read as his captain, preferring the Bay of Plenty product over the more experienced Sam Whitelock.
Having captained the All Blacks three times previously, and been involved in the role for the Chiefs, Cane is versed in what it requires to lead men on the rugby field.
Having to deal with adversity, something he proved was capable of handling when he returned to the sport following his neck injury, is not alien to him.
Being the All Blacks’ captain will come with additional responsibilities, one and off the park, and he accepts he must be prepared for criticism.
‘‘Anyone who says they [critical comments] don’t affect them at all is probably lying because noone wants to read or hear nasty things,’’ Cane said. ‘‘You have got to just remind yourself who is important in your life and who is important in your rugby career.
‘‘It’s not the people who write the articles.’’
Whether he will get the chance to lead the All Blacks in 2020 is cloaked in uncertainty.
Cane accepts the July tests against Wales and Scotland will almost certainly be scrapped and the Rugby Championship is also expected to be cancelled, replaced by tests between the All Blacks and Wallabies late in the year.
Super Rugby, followed by the Mitre 10 Cup with a North v South match thrown in are likely to be on the programme, if the Government allow the country to go to alert level two.
Foster, who is contracted to the end of 2021 but will hope his NZ Rugby masters extend the deal when it comes up for review, is optimistic that Cane can lead the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup in France.
Cane says he doesn’t believe the high-profile role will not change him, noting his rural roots in Bay of Plenty have helped him to stay grounded throughout his career.
‘‘I think it certainly helps being a small country boy deep down. I remember growing up, just because you were one of the best rugby players in the team it didn’t mean too much because anyone could get selected for the Reporoa first XV.
‘‘You could just turn up on Thursday mid-season. Those types of things no doubt help. Again, back to my parents (Kathy and Malcolm), they are very grounded humble people and have installed those values.
‘‘I would like to think I have got selected for this role because of the person I am and because of that I don’t really want to change.’’
Learning the craft of leadership from Richie McCaw and Read should empower Cane, also, and he said he will seek out their advice in the future.
‘‘I hope my actions on and off field are ones people want to follow.
‘‘I like to be someone who hears out other people’s opinions and thoughts; that encourages people to speak their mind.
‘‘And I like to be someone who gets along with a lot of the squad – connects with the younger boys and doesn’t take himself too seriously.
‘‘Have a laugh and try switch on and switch off.’’ and