Bledisloe Cup Rugby: Sam Cane ready to start the new era of the All Blacks with the showdown of the Wallabies

From the Rugby Championship programming saga to Beauden Barrett’s latest scratching, there is no shortage of distractions and interruptions for the All Blacks to face off before the inaugural round of the Bledisloe Cup.

Sam Cane had enough on his plate as he prepares to begin his new era, after assuming the captaincy from Kieran Read, by leading the All Blacks to their first test of the year against the Wallabies tomorrow in Wellington where they will be keen to rectify a recent test series one of four.

Cane, however, believes the All Blacks will adapt to Barrett’s late retirement, which brings Damian McKenzie to fullback as he covers Richie Mo’unga at No. 10. The new boss is also confident his team hasn’t spent. Too much energy worrying about the Rugby Championship Schedule that was finally finalized on Thursday.

“In the last few weeks things have always changed, but I have enjoyed the process this week because since Monday we have focused on football and preparing for a test match and that is something we have not done in a long time” . “Cane said after Barrett was ruled out for a minor Achilles tendon injury this afternoon.” When you do that, and you’re putting all your energy into a good performance, those other things disappear from your mind.

“It is the beginning of a new era and the Bledisloe Cup is at stake. We want to put the first mark in the sand to win that.”

Cane has been forced to wait for the right moment since he was named captain of the All Blacks in February. With that extended eight-month wait almost over, Cane intends to continue the All Blacks’ dominance over the Wallabies that extends to holding the Bledisloe for the past 17 years.

“The excitement is probably an understatement, it’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it? There’s a slightly different feel to the environment just because there have been some changes. I did a little work at the beginning of the week connecting with leaders and allowing them to lead. also, which has allowed me to relax and focus on my own preparation as well. “

Cane lines up alongside blindside resurgence Shannon Frizell and Ardie Savea in the loose front trio, with Blues No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu eager to make his debut from the bench in front of his mom, dad, two sisters, brother and partner, all which ventured. from Auckland to Wellington to witness his first test.

“I know they will be crying somewhere,” Sotutu said as he reflected on a dizzying season in which his goal earlier in the year was to start for the Blues.

“Thinking that a year ago I was playing in a sevens tournament with my club, the Auckland Marist. A year later, possibly making a test debut is pretty crazy.

“More than anything, getting into the environment is a bit scary because it is a highly regarded team with all the history behind it and all the players who have been through the jersey. Meeting some of the older guys from all over the country are all quite a lot. easy to get along.

“I’m pretty good at staying relaxed until game time comes. Yesterday when we had a training session at Sky Stadium, the nerves started to skyrocket a bit. I was thinking the stadium would be full and I’ll be singing the National Anthem. Sure, When the kickoff is, I will be nervous, but I hope that by the time I get up I will be back at ground zero.

“I have confidence in myself. I think if I get a chance to go ahead and have the ball in hand, I will do pretty well. Until that happens, I have to be ready.”

Cane hopes the new Wallabies, under his former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie and in Captain Michael Hooper’s 100th Test, will put the All Blacks to the test this weekend.

“If I meet Dave Rennie, it will hit me that they work hard and fight for every inch,” Cane said. “They will be very physical, but they will also like to use the ball, so there will be no moments when we can disconnect.

“Hoops is a really impressive and combative man. He has played a lot of football and I think we are a similar age. Congratulations to him, we will do everything we can to ruin his party, but he is no small thing and he has been an outstanding server of rugby. Australian “.

Cane’s last duty before setting off his captaincy reign will be delivering the final pre-game messages.

“It will be about supporting ourselves, trusting that we have put in the effort and knowing that it will be an incredible test match, these always are. It will be physical. It will be fast. It will test us. Everything physically and mentally. That’s what we want “.

* Follow live coverage of All Blacks v Wallabies on nzherald.co.nz, Newstalk ZB, Gold and iHeartRadio tomorrow starting at 3pm