Cane on the mend after neck surgery

ALL BLACKS flanker Sam Cane is expected to make a full recovery after having surgery to repair a broken bone in his neck.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury during the All Blacks’ 32-30 victory over South Africa in Pretoria last Saturday.

Cane will be out of action for at least three months and coach Steve Hansen said he would not rush his return to the field.

“Sam Cane is up and about after his successful operation in South Africa,” the All Blacks said on their Twitter account, with a photo of Cane standing wearing a neck brace.

“Sam would like to thank everyone for all the support he has received from around the world. He is set to make a full recovery.”

Hansen received further good news with a trio of injured front rowers expected to return to the field this week ahead of their tour of Europe.

Hooker Dane Coles has not played since rupturing knee ligaments against France on last year's Autumn tour, while tighthead Nepo Laulala was sidelined after breaking his arm in Super Rugby.

Coles made a cameo appearance for Wellington against Taranaki in New Zealand's provincial championship on Friday, while Laulala returned for Counties Manukau against Canterbury yesterday.

Laulala faced fellow All Blacks prop Joe Moody – lining up for Canterbury – who broke his thumb against Australia in August.

All three are expected to be included in Hansen’s squad for an end-of-season tour that features Tests against Australia, Japan, England, Ireland and Italy, beginning with the third Bledisloe Cup match in Yokohama on October 27 .