Sam’s the man for the job Respected figures speak up to support All Blacks captain
Former All Blacks skipper Kieran Read has come out swinging in defence of under-fire current captain Sam Cane, while Josh Kronfeld has also issued a ‘‘back off’’ message to the openside’s critics.
Even before the national squad was selected last month, Cane’s form has been a favourite subject of a rugby public who have watched Ardie Savea shifted to the back of the scrum, and the rise of Dalton Papalii.
Picked to succeed Read as captain by new coach
Ian Foster in May 2020, well in advance of that year’s test programme, there has been a growing chorus in the likes of comments sections and social media that Cane is not the player he was, and that Foster is taking loyalty a bit far.
Then on Tuesday came Stuart Barnes’ piece in The Times. The former England and Lions No 10 called for Cane to be dropped from the starting 15, or jettisoned completely, if the All Blacks were to be real about their World Cup chances next year.
All of this, of course, after just one test for the year – a 23-point win over Ireland – in what was just Cane’s fourth test, and third start, in the past 19 months, following his comeback from shoulder surgery, and after a week where he was made to shoulder a whole lot of added responsibility following the coaching staff’s contracting of Covid-19.
It’s all enough to make Read shake his head at the commentary surrounding his 78-test former team-mate, who he linked with so many times at the back of the scrum on the big stage through 2012-2019.
‘‘I tell you what, a guy like Sam is bloody needed in test footy,’’ Read told
‘‘A lot of people probably don’t understand the arts of the breakdown, and being in position on defence, and getting off the line, and forcing them to play behind the advantage line, and hustling a ruck.
‘‘And all that stuff, that’s his game. And I kind of think he’s actually built for test rugby. That’s the type of player you need.’’
One man who knows a bit about No 7 play is Kronfeld, who wore that jersey in 50 of his 54 All Blacks tests from 1995-2000. not playing well’, but actually, no, it’s not that at all.
‘‘I think we’re just too quick to point the finger. Give him a chance, mate. One game in.
‘‘I think for Mr Barnes, it’s an opportunity to get some rating for his column, simple as that. And it’s an easy target at the moment.’’
Kronfeld said the way the All Blacks coaches break the game down, they would be seeing the likes of Cane’s running times, arrivals and injections to breakdowns, time over the ball, his cleanouts and support roles, and not be fascinated with any big plays for the highlights.
‘‘It’s not always about getting over the ball and stealing it, it’s actually that time slowing the ball down without getting penalised,’’ he said.
‘‘The other thing is the position has changed, especially in the All Blacks structures. You’re not allowed much latitude other than your zone, it’s quite structurally orientated. So it doesn’t allow you much opportunity to shine.’’
It’s doubtful Cane cares much about individual accolades, or criticism, so long as his team is chugging along fine.
Read has seen first-hand how much presence Cane, 30, has, and respect he carries around the group, and backs him to shake off the tide of criticism, going into Saturday night’s second test in Dunedin.
‘‘He certainly is probably one that will be wanting to prove himself,’’ Read said. ‘‘You can’t ignore this stuff, you know it’s kind of happening, even though you’re not reading the papers and things, there is that kind of noise.’’