Cane’s chance to secure finals berth

The Bay of Plenty's Sam Cane has been handed the opportunity to stake his claim for a starting berth for the All Blacks' quarter-final match.

The Reporoa-born loosie has been named to start in his side's final pool match against Tonga on Friday (8am). All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has opted to rest captain Richie McCaw, and while there is no way a fit McCaw is likely to be axed, a poor performing Jerome Kaino is fighting to keep his run-on spot.

Jerome has already admitted to the media that his form has been below par at the tournament, and today's selection is likely to represent a last chance for the flanker who set the previous World Cup on fire with his strength and aggression.

Victor Vito has had a strong World Cup, while Liam Messam has been handed a chance, with the former Rotorua player being named on the bench. Both McCaw (on the blind-side) and Cane (open-side) have been trialled together with success at this World Cup.

With the exception of McCaw, Hansen has named what is potentially a finals team, with midfielder Ma'a Nonu set to play his 100th test match.

Ma'a, who made his All Blacks Test debut in 2003, has had 83 Test starts in his stellar career, scoring 29 tries. He is the most capped All Blacks second five-eighth, and will become the their sixth test centurion on Friday – lining up alongside another three in Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Daniel Carter.

'He has been an incredibly valued member of our group for a very long time,” says Hansen. 'He has been fully committed to enhancing the All Blacks jersey and the values that go with it.

'He plays a special part within the group and loves this team. He and his family will be very proud of everything he's achieved, as we all are of him. We look forward to celebrating his achievement on Friday night.”

McCaw (sore hip) and prop Charlie Faumuina (tight hamstring) weren't considered for selection, and in McCaw's absence, the side will be captained by Kieran Read.

'We've had a very heavy workload in the last two weeks on the training pitch and a couple of very physical games, which has been great,” adds Hansen.

'But this week we've been looking to freshen the group up and really concentrate on the key parts of our game that we expect will deliver a quality, 80-minute performance on Friday night. We're now getting to an exciting part of the competition – one game out from knockout footy.

'We know the Tongans will be very physical and bring everything to this final Pool match. They're a proud nation who we've faced on a number of occasions.

'One only has to remember their last Pool match against France in 2011 to know that if you don't turn up, they will make life difficult for you.”

Steve says the squad have enjoyed their time in the North-East of England, having stayed in the town of Darlington before the match at St. James' Park – home to Premier League side Newcastle United.

All Blacks squad: Tony Woodcock, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read ©, Aaron Smith, Daniel Carter, Waisake Naholo, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ben Smith.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.

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1 comment

Pick on form

Posted on 08-10-2015 16:17 | By bushman

Leave Kaino and Reid out put Vito and Sam in and get some speed around the paddock take a lesson from the Aussies


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