Rugby: All Blacks coach Ian Foster has captaincy implications for Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea

Blacks coach Ian Foster has faced the two main questions after Sam Cane’s appointment as national captain.

In the first place, why was Cane favored over Sam Whitelock, the veteran blockade that many perceive as the apparent heir to Kieran Read?

Second, what does the Cane captaincy mean for world-class loose forward Ardie Savea?

Foster acknowledged that the captainship decision, the first statement of his new era, boiled down to a choice between Whitelock and Cane.

Whitelock, with 115 tests at Cane’s 68, has a superior experience having participated in three World Cups. Cane is, however, three years younger at 28.

In the end, it was Cane’s approach to leadership, his open, honest, mature and inclusive style that earned him the go-ahead.

“It was definitely not a horse race,” said Foster. “Last year it was a different group and we had a different captain. When you look at your captain, you look at the whole balance of the leadership group. Sammy Whitelock had a very special relationship with Kieran Read, so there was a lot of synergy there. When we went from each other was almost perfect.

“Sammy proved he could be a great captain All Black, so that was not really the debate. It was a matter of looking at the different styles and the group that we think we could have when we wrote the names on paper and felt that Sam Cane’s style It could be a little more conducive for this group.

“It was somehow a great decision to have as a coach because we had at least two people we had a lot of confidence in. Sam has been in the leadership group longer than Sam Whitelock.”

“They are two great people surrounded by other people we trust equally. Overall, Sam Cane is at a point in his career where he is ready to lead, he has great style and for us it was an instinctive feeling. He is Ready for that. He’s had some great mentors at this All Blacks camp for the past eight years. “

The next hot topic is when Cane’s anointing leaves Savea, All Blacks, Super Rugby and last year’s Player of the Year Kelvin R Tremain Memorial, who later showed interest in switching to the rugby league.

Savea’s form was so compelling at the World Cup that he was preferred on the open flank for the semi-final defeat to England, with the All Blacks opening Scott Barrett on the blind side and Cane off the bench.

With his captaincy decision, Foster has effectively vowed to start Cane and Savea in the same loose trio. Savea demonstrated his skill at No. 8, where his scrum back speed is a valuable asset, while Cane’s confrontational style is equally suited to all six roles.

However, they are the seven shirts that both prefer.

The height in the lineout and the power in contact will be the defining qualities to determine who is the partner of the couple.

“We have shown that we can both take them to the park at the same time that we are excited,” said Foster.

“Certainly, when you look at last year’s form, both players were good enough to be selected.

“We have seen the versatility of Ardie and Sam, so we have some really good options there. Part of that could be influenced by who raises his hand as the third loser.”

“There’s a lot of room for people to impress on that six and eight role and we’ll see the combinations from that point on.”

“Ardie is a huge part of our plans, just like Sam Cane. I’m pretty sure we’ll find a way for both of them to play and play really well.”

READ MORE:
• Rugby: Sam Cane named new All Blacks captain
• Rugby: Eden Park obtained the second best rugby field in the world
• Rugby: the circumstances that led Jordie Barrett out of the way of the All Blacks – then back to him

Foster is not married to the appointment of a vice captain any time soon, saying it was not an obvious strategy and that Cane would eventually shape his leadership group.

He also addressed the odd timing of the announcement with July tests slated to be postponed and the uncertainty surrounding the All Blacks’ first appearance of the year, which is expected to come against the Wallabies.

“While it seems a little strange because we don’t have an itinerary yet, it is not strange because we are still planning a lot behind the scenes on all the different scenarios and it is vital to have a strong contribution from the player. The best way to do this is to order the hierarchical order and order Sam in his role so that he can maximize the contribution of his teammates.

“There is undoubtedly great pressure on everyone and we are no different than any other organization in this country. For us, the challenges are very real. We know that we are in an industry that has high costs and high incomes, so when you remove the income you have problems. “