Rugby World Cup: All Blacks say injury to captain Sam Cane isn't ...
All Blacks coach Ian Foster is confident captain Sam Cane will quickly recover from the back injury that forced him to watch from the stands as his team suffered a demoralising 27-13 loss to France in their World Cup match in Paris on Saturday morning.
Cane was a shock withdrawal from the fixture at Stade de France after it was revealed less than 60 minutes before kick-off that Dalton Papali’i would switch from blindside flanker to the openside to fill the vacancy left by the skipper.
The reshuffle resulted in Tupou Va’ai being promoted from the bench to blindside flanker, and Brodie Retallick, who was originally not considered because of a knee injury, to sit on the bench.
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All Blacks captain Sam Cane didn’t play the test in Paris, but coach Ian Foster hopes he will make a quick recovery from a back injury.
After the match Foster revealed Cane had been hurt at the captain’s run the day before the match.
"It wasn't ideal but that's what World Cups are about, and I think in many ways I would rather have it happen now than a bit later on,’’ Foster told Sky Sport.
“We have to build through this tournament. Sam was lifting a lifter for a kick-off receive yesterday afternoon and felt his back sort of tweak. So kept him until this morning, but we made that decision. But he should be okay going forward.’’
Cane’s absence added to a series of defections that left coach Ian Foster well short of his top lineup, with regular No 12 Jordie Barrett ruled out earlier in the week with a knee strain, and starting tighthead Tyrel Lomax (cut knee) and blindside flanker Shannon Frizell (hamstring) also recovering from injuries.
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Rieko Ioane makes a run for the All Blacks in Paris.
Fans arriving at the ground for the lavish opening ceremony were unaware of the withdrawal of the All Blacks No 7 until it was announced by the team’s management to media.
The withdrawal of Cane signalled the start of a tough evening for the All Blacks who led 13-9 early in the second half, when wing Mark Telea scored his second try, but wilted badly later as the game progressed.
Foster delivered some good news, at least, by indicating Barrett may be available for the next pool game against Namibia in Toulouse next weekend.
"Jordie [Barrett] should be okay, so have got some people coming back. There is plenty to work with there, we just have to find a different pathway through this pool now.''
Foster said he had no complaints about the yellow card to right wing Will Jordan after referee Jaco Peyper sent him to the sin bin for colliding with French fullback Thomas Ramos in the air in the 58th minute.
"It was an honest attempt at something, but it was clumsy. So we accept that from Jaco,’’ Foster said. “I thought he reffed pretty well, actually. But it was a fair decision against Will, we have got to be better in that space.''
