Cane laments shortcomings but keeps the faith
Sam Cane loved the challenge, just not so much the response from his All Blacks as they plunged further into the rugby mire in South Africa.
Well beaten 26-10 by the world champion Springboks in the Rugby Championship opener at a seething Mbombela Stadium, the All Blacks are plunging towards some pretty dark places, not to mention a further drop down the world rankings.
Not even the positive news in the aftermath that No 10 Beauden Barrett had avoided ‘‘major injury’’ in his horrific fall that saw a red card for South Africa’s Kurt-Lee Arendse could lift the gloom surrounding the Kiwi tourists.*
They have now lost five of their last six tests, three of four in 2022, and look for all money a team bereft of the attributes required to turn this around any time soon.
There is a rematch at the cauldron that is Ellis Park, the spiritual home of Bokke rugby this Sunday (NZ time). Given the form the All Blacks are in, it shapes as a pivotal end to a telling fortnight in the republic.
Skipper Cane was doing his best to stay positive in the wake of yet another major All Blacks disappointment. He conceded it was another performance that left plenty to be desired.
‘‘It’s one of the great challenges in test footy, playing South Africa over here, and the hostility of the crowd and the noise . . . if anything, and speaking on behalf of a lot of the boys, you love that backs against the wall, us versus them and the stadium situation.
‘‘Early on they threw a lot of punches in terms of their attack and we did well to absorb a lot. I was pretty happy with where we were at in terms of the scoreboard going into halftime [3-10], considering we hadn’t got much going on attack. As it turned out we continued to not quite get enough going, and that was the test match.’’
Cane lamented the All Blacks’ inability to dictate terms at the breakdown where they found their momentum halted on multiple occasions. It was just one of many areas where the more urgent, more intense Boks dominated them
But the beleaguered skipper, whose lack of impact (four carries for a single metre) continues to make him a target for the team’s legion of critics, was adamant the All Blacks had not lost belief in themselves or their coaches.
‘‘The belief is really strong within the group,’’ he said.
‘‘Even with five minutes to go, when the red card came, there was genuine belief. It’s only something you can feel out on the field . . . the group’s belief in ourselves, and what we’re trying to achieve, is very high and when you’ve got that and an attitude to work hard, it’s a good recipe.
‘‘We’ve just got to stick at it and it will turn. If we didn’t have those things in place, I’d be pretty worried, but the right ingredients are there.’’