A major absentee before the France – All Blacks clash on Saturday at the Stade de France. New Zealand will be deprived of its most experienced third row, for the revenge of the opening match of the last World Cup against the XV of France. “Sam Cane has been ruled out for this match due to a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocol,” the All Blacks said on their Instagram account. He gives way to Du’Plessis Kirifi.
Hit in one hand during the same match, winger Mark Tele’a, who scored the All Blacks’ victory try on November 2 at Twickenham against England (24-22), will not be either in the group. Chay Fihaki was called in as reinforcement.
The All Blacks had already had to draw a line under the presence on Saturday on the pitch of the Stade de France of Sam Darry, injured in a knee in training and forfeited for the rest of the tour in Europe. Fabian Holland was called up to compensate for the absence of the second row.
Beauden Barrett back?
On the other hand, they could record the return of fly-half Beauden Barrett, left to rest against Ireland following a concussion.
In Dublin, Sam Cane came out with his head bleeding in the 73rd minute. “Sam Cane’s injury required stitches, he will undergo a concussion protocol,” coach Scott Robertson then explained, indicating that he was uncertain for the match against the XV of France.
Captain of the All Blacks during the last World Cup, and unfortunate hero of the final lost against South Africa (he was sent off), Cane is a centerpiece of the New Zealand XV. He is one of four players, along with fellow flanker Wallace Sititi, prop Tamaiti Williams and winger Mark Tele’a, to have started every match for the All Blacks since the start of their tour, against Japan, England and Ireland. After France, New Zealand will end their tour on Saturday 23 against Italy.
