Sam Cane set to retire from the New Zealand All Blacks after the 2024 international season
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Sam Cane has accepted he won’t be All Blacks captain under new head coach Scott Robertson, and he will play rugby in Japan after the 2024 season.
Cane on Monday said he's been released from the last year of his contract with New Zealand Rugby and will take up a new three-year contract with Tokyo-based Suntory Sungoliath.
He will be available for the All Blacks when he completes a current sabbatical in Japan and hopes to play the five tests he needs to reach a career 100 before leaving New Zealand.
But the 32-year-old who has captained the All Blacks in 27 of his 95 tests said he has played his last test as captain.
Robertson has indicated he is considering other options and tried earlier this year to entice 35-year-old lock Sam Whitelock back from France, though Whitelock has been cool on the prospect of returning after retiring as New Zealand’s most-capped player.
Lock Scott Barrett and backrower Ardie Savea seem to be the other leading candidates for the captaincy and Cane’s future in the No. 7 jersey is not certain. That starting role might go this year to Blues flanker Dalton Papali’i.
New Zealand will play its first tests of the season against England on July 6 and 13.
“It’s part of the natural process that happens in rugby. I had my time as captain and it was a huge honor and privilege,” Cane said. “If I’m fortunate enough to be selected in the All Blacks this year then I’ll still be myself.
" I love that team and I just want to see the All Blacks do well, so if part of my role is contributing leadership off the field or on the field, I’ll be happy to support the new captain as best as I can to help make it a smooth transition for the All Blacks.”
Cane scored two tries on debut in 2012 against Ireland and was integral in New Zealand’s World Cup victory in 2015.
He hasn’t always been a popular figure with fans in New Zealand where openside flanker is a particularly significant position. Cane succeeded Richie McCaw in the No. 7 when McCaw was then New Zealand’s most-capped player.
Cane has battled injuries throughout his international career, including a broken neck in 2018.
He was sent off for a head contact early in last year’s World Cup final, leaving New Zealand to play most of the match with 14 men in a 12-11 loss to South Africa.
Robertson said he supported Cane’s decision to continue his career in Japan.
“After discussing this at length with Sam, I fully understand the reasons behind his decision and support him,” Robertson said.
“The position he plays asks a lot of you mentally and physically — both of those things ramp up when you are captain. So to do what he’s done over such a long period is an incredible feat. I fully respect him taking this opportunity.”
Cane said the contract offer from Japan came at a time he was considering his future and his ability to provide for his family after rugby.
“A good opportunity came my way with Suntory Sungoliath willing to offer me a three-year contract,” Cane said. “It was something we had to seriously consider as a family due to the stage I am at in my career. It will see me through to 2027 when I’ll have my 35th birthday.
“I’ve always thought that if I can play professional rugby for that length of time I’d be doing really well considering the position I play and the age that I started playing professionally.”
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