All Blacks captain’s unlikely shot at World Cup redemption

Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane has got an unlikely shot at Rugby World Cup redemption.
The flanker was sensationally sent off for a high tackle in the 2023 World Cup final and had to watch from the sidelines in anguish as the Springboks held on for a 12-11 triumph in Paris.
It appeared that would be Cane’s last act in the black jersey.
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He took up a sabbatical in Japan this year that was cruelled by injury and in May Cane announced that he would retire from international rugby at the end of 2024.
But new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson elected to keep the 32-year-old in the fold and Cane made his 96th Test appearance off the bench in the 42-10 win over Argentina earlier this month.
And Cane has now been promoted back into the No.7 jersey for Sunday’s (1am kickoff AEST) rematch against South Africa after Dalton Papali’i was ruled out with a thumb injury.
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Sam Cane of New Zealand looks dejected at fulltime. Getty
“Nothing personal, it’s just a great rivalry,” Cane said this week of playing the Springboks.
“It’s always a team that I’ve loved playing. I enjoy the physical side of the game and they sort of always pride themselves on being physical and that’s how their forwards play the game.
“Just really looking forward to the opportunity of playing them at home at Ellis Park. I suppose, for us Eden Park is our spiritual ground but for me, it feels like it’s their home ground. They’ve got a lot of history there. It’s hostile. It’s one of the best challenges, the best places to play and I’m just really looking forward to it.”
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Lock Scott Barrett will captain New Zealand after recovering from a broken finger.
“To play South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for,” Robertson said.
“We will embrace the occasion. We have a lot of respect for the Springboks and we are looking forward to what will be an electric atmosphere at an iconic venue.”
Eben Etzebeth of South Africa celebrates victory at Stade de France. Getty
Meanwhile, Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared to play off the bench by coach Rassie Erasmus.
Etzebeth was left off the original team sheet on Tuesday but Erasmus left the door open should he “miraculously recover” from injury.
That miracle has occurred and Marco van Staden made way.
“Our selection policy has always been that if a player does not train on a Monday he will not play on Saturday, but Eben has made it through training pain free all week, so we had to make the tough call to name him in the squad at the expense of Marco,” Erasmus said.
“There were backup options for us at lock in the initial squad, but with Eben on the bench it means we have another specialist in that position in the team.
“It’s admirable how Marco accepted the news. It shows the quality of the player and person he is.”
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi (c), Ruan Nortje, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Ethan Blackadder, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (c), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a