Sam Cane, the captain of New Zealand, signed a three-year contract with Suntory Sungoliath of Japan and will retire from international rugby at the end of 2024. At the end of the Japanese season this summer, Cane will rejoin his team and be available to play for the All Blacks for the remainder of the season.
After the New Zealand rugby released him from the last year of his contract, which extended until the end of 2025, the 32-year-old will afterwards return to Japan. He declared: “A good opportunity came my way with Suntory Sungoliath willing to offer me a three-year contract… I had to weigh up everything and, in the end, with a young family it seemed like the best decision to help set up our future.”
Cane playing for All Blacks
Making his All Blacks debut in 2012, the winger has participated in 95 Test matches, 27 of which he has captained, and he assisted his nation in winning the 2015 World Cup. However, after New Zealand’s 2023 tournament loss to South Africa, he became the first male player in World Cup history to be sent off in a final.
Since then, the All Blacks team have not participated in a match, and Cane will not lead them when they play next. Cane admitted: “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… If I’m fortunate enough to be selected in the All Blacks this year then I’ll still be myself.”
Cane became a Suntory Sungoliath player last year after choosing to take advantage of his Waikato Chiefs contract’s sabbatical option. With his decision, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson stated: “After discussing this at length with Sam, I fully understand the reasons behind his decision and support him.”
Cover Photo: IG
Source: BBC