Only the Fourth All Black to Lead His Team in a World Cup Final, Sam Cane Speaks Out
The All Blacks’ skipper Sam Cane admits that the red card he received during their heartbreaking loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final is a “lifelong burden” he’ll have to bear.
The decisive moment came when Cane’s high hit on Jesse Kriel during the 27th minute of play was escalated to a red card status after undergoing a TMO ‘bunker’ assessment.
The 31-year-old made history, albeit not the kind he’d want to remember, by becoming the first male rugby player to be ejected in a World Cup final. His team lost by the slimmest of margins, a 12-11 scoreline.
“Two months in the tournament have taught us that any contact around the head is serious,” commented Cane. “Frankly, I was taken aback that he dodged, and next thing I know, I was off the field.”
“I’m not here to argue about the rightness or wrongness of the decision. It’s irreversible. It’s a cross I’ll have to bear for the rest of my life,” he added.
Unity in Victory for South Africa – Captain Siya Kolisi
Back-to-Back Triumphs for the Springboks
Even with a numerical disadvantage for most of the match, New Zealand showed resilience, dominating significant chunks of the second half and narrowly missing two chances to pull ahead in the waning moments. A fluffed conversion by Richie Mo’unga and a tardy penalty by Jordie Barrett made sure the Springboks clung to their single-point advantage.
In an ironic twist, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi also found himself in the sin-bin during the early minutes of the second half for a high tackle on Ardie Savea, but avoided a red card after TMO ‘bunker’ review.
All Blacks’ head coach Ian Foster noted the disparity, saying, “It’s devastating for him [Cane], and equally frustrating for us. We need to review how similar incidents result in such varied outcomes. Not complaining, just saying.”
A Question of Severity
England’s 2003 World Cup-winning captain, Martin Johnson, concurred with Foster, stating that neither tackle warranted a red card. “In slow motion, everything looks worse. There have been dozens of instances in this tournament where players made head contacts. A yellow card, perhaps, but a red card is excessively harsh.”
Andrew Mehrtens, a former New Zealand fly-half, also mentioned “extenuating circumstances” that could have allowed Cane back on the field. “He’s not a dirty player. It’s a contact sport and these things happen. Today’s red card could be tomorrow’s warning.”
‘We Left It All On the Field’ – Aaron Smith
Scrum-half Aaron Smith, in what was his swan song for the All Blacks, expressed his immense pride. “We battled with 14 men for much of the game and almost pulled it off. South Africa was relentless in their pressure. We had our chances in the final stretch but just couldn’t capitalize.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby World Cup final
What led to Sam Cane receiving a red card in the Rugby World Cup final?
Sam Cane, the captain of New Zealand’s All Blacks, received a red card for a high tackle on South Africa’s Jesse Kriel in the 27th minute. The decision was upgraded to a red card after a TMO ‘bunker’ review. This event was pivotal as Cane became the first male player to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup final.
Did New Zealand have other opportunities to win despite being a man down?
Yes, New Zealand had several opportunities to pull ahead, especially in the second half. They narrowly missed two scoring chances in the final moments of the game—a botched conversion by Richie Mo’unga and a late penalty by Jordie Barrett.
Was there another high-tackle incident involving South Africa’s captain?
Yes, Siya Kolisi, the captain of South Africa, was also penalized for a high tackle on New Zealand’s Ardie Savea early in the second half. However, his punishment was less severe; he received a yellow card after a TMO ‘bunker’ review did not escalate it to a red card.
What did other experts say about the red card incident?
England’s 2003 World Cup-winning captain, Martin Johnson, and former New Zealand fly-half Andrew Mehrtens both felt that the red card was too harsh. They argued that similar incidents during the game had different outcomes, and that a yellow card would have been a more appropriate punishment.
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was 12-11 in favor of South Africa, making it one of the closest finals in Rugby World Cup history.
What did All Blacks’ head coach Ian Foster say about the officiating?
Ian Foster expressed his frustration with the inconsistent outcomes of similar high-tackle incidents. He noted that while Cane was sent off with a red card, Kolisi received only a yellow card for a similar offense.
Was this the last game for any of the All Blacks’ players?
Yes, this was the final game for All Blacks’ scrum-half Aaron Smith. Despite the loss, he said he was “immensely proud” of his team’s efforts and that they gave it their all.
What are the implications for Sam Cane’s career?
While it’s too early to tell, the red card is a significant blot on Sam Cane’s career. As the first male player to be ejected from a Rugby World Cup final, it’s a moment he admits will be a “lifelong burden.”
More about Rugby World Cup final
- Rugby World Cup Official Site
- All Blacks Team Profile
- BBC Sport: Rugby World Cup Final Highlights
- TMO ‘Bunker’ Explained
- Interview with Sam Cane
- Interview with Ian Foster
- History of Rugby World Cup Finals
- Martin Johnson’s Take on BBC Radio 5 Live
- Andrew Mehrtens’ Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live
- Final Game for Aaron Smith
8 comments
This match had more drama than a Hollywood movie! What a storyline. Sam Cane’s red card was like a plot twist nobody saw comin’.
Man, that red card! Cane’s gonna have a tough time shaking this off. But hey, it’s rugby, right? Anything can happen.
Kudos to Aaron Smith on his last game. Guy played his heart out. Shame it had to end on a losing note though.
Victory tastes so sweet! But I agree, the officiating was a bit inconsistent. Could’ve gone either way, really.
Anyone else curious about how that TMO ‘bunker’ technology works? Seems like it’s causing more confusion than clarity.
pretty gutted about the loss but gotta give it to the boys for hangin in there with 14 men. Refs need to get their act together tho!
The All Blacks showed incredible resilience, especially in the second half. But that red card? Could be debated for years. Foster’s frustration is totally justified.
back in my day, tackles like Canes would’ve been just another play. The games gotten soft, but health first I guess.