The Bay of Plenty's Sam Cane will captain the All Blacks for the first time when they take on Namibia in their second pool match of the Rugby World Cup.

The openside flanker will lead the New Zealand team onto the pitch at The Olympic Stadium in London, ready for kick-off at 8pm tomorrow.

Sam Cane will lead the All Blacks onto the pitch when they face Namibia tomorrow.

Head coach Steve Hansen says it's a very special moment for the 23-year-old who will captain the All Blacks for the first time.

'He's in our leadership group, is hugely respected by everyone, is a fierce and fearless player and is someone who has the potential of being a long-term captain of the All Blacks in the future.”

Hansen says it's also a fantastic opportunity for those players not selected for the opening Test to get game time.

'At the completion of this match, 30 of the 31 players in our squad will have experienced time in the middle of the park which will give us a good foundation base going forward and which was always part of our planning pre-Tournament. It's now their time to step up.

'Five of our team will also be playing their first Rugby World Cup match so it'll be a significant moment for them and their families as well.”

Hansen adds the Namibian players will be excited by it too and it will be a great occasion at The Stadium on Thursday.

Looking forward to running out there again come Thursday. Also, what an achievement by @SamCane7 lead well my bro!

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) September 22, 2015

Key points of interest

* Sam Cane will be the 67th player to captain the All Blacks in a Test and at 23 years eight months old will be the fifth youngest All Blacks captain ever. Richie McCaw was the previous fifth youngest Captain, aged 23 years 10 months when he captained the team for the first time in November 2004. The youngest All Blacks Test captain was Canterbury first five-eighth Herbie Lilburne who was 21 years three months old when he captained the All Blacks in 1929.

* The All Blacks starting XV for the Namibia Test has an average age of 26 and there are 1,061 Test caps in the matchday 23.

* The five All Blacks marking their first RWC appearance are Codie Taylor, Luke Romano, Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Malakai Fekitoa.

* The All Blacks have kicked 200 conversions and 102 penalties at Rugby World Cups. The All Blacks also hold the records for most points at a RWC (361 in 2003) and tries at a RWC (52 in 2003).