Former All Black utility back Israel Dagg has made a claim that backrow Sam Cane has had his hand forced by incoming head coach Scott Robertson to depart the international arena.
Speaking on SENZ Radio, the 35-year-old said, “I’ve got a lot of time and respect for Sam Cane, played with him many times and I’ve never met a tougher bloke.
“A bloke that just fires into breakdowns puts his body on the line week-in, week-out, and will go down as one of the greats for New Zealand.”
All Blacks skipper Sam Cane to depart the test arena at the end of 2024
Laying out his theory that Robertson has had a discussion with the All Blacks skipper that he would not be named captain going forward, Dagg continued on to say that the news had been doing the rounds online.
“But there is something hanging over my shoulder here.
“I get a sense that this was forced. I get a sense that there was a shoulder tap from the one and only (Robertson), saying: ‘G’Day son, I think the writing is on the wall in terms of where you are seen in New Zealand rugby, Scott Barrett is going to take over the captaincy’.
“I think this was forced to be completely honest. They’ve been having conversations about it online, but the reality is he was shoulder tapped and told to make that next step and his next step is getting the Yen over in Japan.”
Discussing Cane’s involvement, Robertson spoke about his criteria for selecting players.
“Like anything, it’s on form. He’s coming back from an injury, he’s got to perform to be involved with the All Blacks. He knows that.
“He’s been involved with leadership meetings already. And he has still got that personality and leadership qualities.
“He knows what to say at the right time. So he’s been valuable. Look, as we know, if you’ve played 95 Test matches, you have been around, haven’t you? You know what it takes. He’s available this year if he performs.”
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