It should come as no surprise that the All Blacks’ hard-fought victory over Ireland in Dublin may have claimed a significant victim, with former skipper Sam Cane in doubt to play France next weekend.
Loose forward Cane suffered a deep gash to his head in the second half of the 23-13 victory at the Aviva Stadium as the All Blacks held on for what must be considered their best win under Scott Robertson, a triumph that knocked Ireland from No.1 to No.3 in the world rankings.
“Sam Cane needed stitches and he’s undergoing an HIA [head injury assessment], head coach Robertson told New Zealand media. “The doctor had a hell of a job, it was a genuine deep cut,”
“We’ll do everything to make sure he’s good - everything around his head with the HIA with that cut so it heals up. It’s a big few days for Sam.
“He’s going to be assessed in the next couple of days around the stitch and go through the HIA protocols.”
Cane’s defensive ability in the No.7 jersey has been a big factor in the All Blacks’ impressive victories over England and Ireland, and Robertson faces a major reshuffle for Paris if Cane isn’t passed fit, as seems likely.
The most likely solution would see Robertson moving Ardie Savea from No.8 to openside flanker, the outstanding Wallace Sititi from blindside to No.8, and Samipeni Finau from the bench to the No.6 jersey.
Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder and Dalton Papali’i did not make the trip to Europe, with Jacobson requiring thumb surgery and Blackadder and Papali’i nursing calf and hamstring injuries respectively. The latter two were possibilities to join the squad in Paris but it would seem unlikely that either would make the starting line up.
Fortunately for Robertson, the adaptable Savea and Sititi are in good form and Finau defended well in Dublin when he replaced Cane. With Cane departing for Japan at the end of the year, that trio is the most likely to be Robertson’s first choice for 2025.
The head coach has other decisions to make around hooker and first-five, with Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett likely to be available to play France after both failed HIAs at Twickenham last weekend.
Asafo Aumua, brilliant at hooker after replacing Taylor three minutes into the Test against England and playing nearly 80 minutes against Ireland, complained of a sore neck after the match and his workload may dictate a straight swap for Taylor.
Damian McKenzie, composed and reliable against Ireland at No.10, may just keep his starting spot ahead of Barrett.
Robertson said: “This week’s team is going to be interesting to name.”
With the All Blacks beating Japan, England and Ireland over the past three weeks, a win over France will likely mean a clean sweep ahead of a final Test against Italy.
South Africa have gone to No.1 in the world, with New Zealand second and Ireland third. Should Scotland beat the Boks in Edinburgh overnight NZT, the All Blacks will go top.
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