Cane named to lead the All Blacks

Wellington – Sam Cane has retained the captaincy in the All Blacks squad announced yesterday for the Rugby Championship, which features five uncapped players.

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster said he had “total belief” that veteran flanker Cane was the right man to lead the side, after naming a 36-man squad that sent a clear Rugby World Cup message.

There had been question marks over Cane’s leadership after the All Blacks slumped to defeat in four of their fi rst six Tests last year, including a home series loss to Ireland and a fi rst-ever defeat on home soil against Argentina.

A run of better results at the end of the season, when Cane was injured, left critics suggesting Sam Whitelock would be a better World Cup captain.

However, a fully fit Cane earned praise from Foster with his imposing form for the Waikato Chiefs, who have reached the Super Rugby Pacific final.

“Sam has proven himself as a great leader of our team despite having had a disrupted couple of seasons leading into this one,” Foster said.

“We have total belief that he is the right man to lead us. It’s fantastic to see him back playing with a smile on his face.”

Foster has been guided by form in naming a squad whose first Test is against Argentina in Mendoza on 9 July.

He has included 10 players each from the Chiefs and Crusaders, who will meet in next week’s Super Rugby final.

The five uncapped players are Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa, Crusaders midfield back Dallas McLeod, Hurricanes scrumhalf Cameron Roigard, Chiefs flanker Samipeni Finau and Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams.

Uncapped Chiefs outside back Shaun Stevenson will serve as injury cover for Mark Telea.

A 10-strong group of players were listed as unavailable due to injury, including Crusaders trio David Havili, Ethan Blackadder and Joe Moody. –