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Smithy's Sermon: Time to celebrate "fully deserving" All Blacks centurion Cane
Ian Smith • September 27th, 2024 1:46 pm
While I was playing golf with the blokes yesterday and we were eagerly awaiting the naming of the All Blacks. We were all speculating about who would be in and who would be out, which way they'd go. Would they have a team for tomorrow, or a team for today?
And it's a team for today. It's almost a sentimental selection.
Sam Cane will play his 100th Test. TJ Perenara gets a start on his beloved Wellington soil, which is of interest. I would have thought, if you're looking to play your best No. 9, Cortez Ratima would have been starting because he was outstanding last week in Sydney - without doubt one of the players of that particular match.
For me, it's a big night for the Barretts. Beauden Barrett back in at No. 10. It's hardly a step forward but maybe it's an indication that they've not given up on Damian McKenzie, but maybe he needs some time to come off the bench and perhaps express himself the way that Damian can, and maybe that's his role going forward.
So, I wouldn't exactly say trying Barrett there is finding out something for tomorrow, for the long term. It's very much a selection for the short term.
And what it does, it gives you a true indication of Scott Robertson's intentions about how he's going, in terms of thinking about the short term and that win-loss record, which if he loses tomorrow, won't be looking at that flash.
I wonder how happy that All Black camp is? There are a few rumours floating around that, there's a bit of Canterbury dominance amongst it. I just wonder if that's the case.
It's a really strong trio at the top with Robertson and Ryan and Hansen, and I just wonder whether they're holding sway at the moment and they're too powerful to break down.
But to me, this was a selection that offered so many opportunities.
They've won the Bledisloe Cup back, they can't win the Rugby Championship, so here was a perfect example in front of a full house in Wellington to find out a little bit, perhaps about a Harry Plummer. But that won't happen, with the Blues pivot out of the reserves as well.
I look forward to it. I think the All Blacks should probably win, and win quite comfortably. But at the end of the day, what will they have achieved?
Let's not forget, Sam Cane. He fully deserves a cap. No one's been through more, I think, than Sam Cane. Not just the injuries either. I won't say he was vilified, but he was doubted. Doubted to a large degree in his time as captain of the All Blacks.
But you cannot deny or doubt his commitment to the jersey. That will be added to with that silver cap around about 9pm Saturday night, and he will wear it very proudly.
Tune into Ian Smith on SENZ Mornings 9am-midday weekdays except Thursdays.
