IDE-EYED. THAT'S how Sam Cane describes his first Rugby World Cup experience. Considering he got on the field with one minute left to play in the 2015 World Cup final, replacing the great Richie McCaw, it's no surprise. It would be wide eyes and a slack jaw all round for most of us out there.
Seven times he played for the All Blacks in that victorious tournament run, twice starting. Then in 2019 he played five games, with one of those appearances off the bench - in the match that ultimately decided their fate, against England in the semi-final, when Eddie Jones's team cut loose. Today, though, Cane is captain of New Zealand. So how does it feel this time around in France?
"It's different! I think it does become a little bit more normal over the years. In my first World Cup I was 23 years old, so I was just stoked to be there. I was real wide-eyed. It was a whole new experience. But also just a real buzz to be part of. And as I've progressed, now there's certainly a buzz to be part of it but you feel more responsibility, having a leadership role and being captain. I suppose I'm just a lot more focused on driving the team as a whole and more so (on myself) as an individual, to make sure we come home with the cup rather than (at previous World Cups) when I was just there to play my part in the team.
"When you're younger, you only know what you know. You make sure you're training hard, eating well, making sure you're doing all the small things with your recovery and playing well. And as you progress through the years, there are a lot more things on your mind. It becomes harder to switch off. Because you're constantly reviewing and evaluating and having a lot of those small conversations behind the scenes. I suppose now you've got to remind yourself to enjoy it a little bit more.
This story is from the November 2023 edition of Rugby World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2023 edition of Rugby World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RUGBY RANT
Writer Sam Larner rails against rugby's scheduling of fixtures
"The list of highlights is endless - I wouldn't change a thing"
The Wales great who also represented the Scarlets and Lions with distinction
SIX OF THE BEST
MANOR PARK have played a blinder by Nutting out So many teams in one massive weekend
Back with a bang!
The first sell-out since Covid in the final year at the Hong Kong Stadium... we bore witness to a madcap Hong Kong Sevens
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
A globetrotting, jet-heeled, kick-blocking, defender bamboozling star. Keeping up with Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe will make you dizzy
MY DAY OFF..ADAM RADWAN
THERE IS a symmetry to Adam Radwan’s favourite hobby. A player renowned for his remarkable athleticism, leaping like a salmon to score by the corner flag, likes nothing better than spending a day fly fishing on the River Tyne.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
LORENZO PANI had it all planned out. If he managed to score a try in Cardiff, he would reach for the trademark ‘Siuuu!’ celebration of his footballing idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
WHAT'S UP WITH ULSTER
Mid-Season changes to leadership, poor form on the pitch and a lot of confused looks from fans Tom English digs into troubled times at the Irish province
ROSSLYN PARK SEVENS
With blockbuster numbers, high skill and a fired-up crowd of players, former pupils and parents, this traditional event is as strong as ever
TOP 12 FINISHERS
It's try-time as we run down a list of our favourite scorers across the global game down the years
