SAM CANE "Work on my own game, Enjoy it, Trust myself"

As a 1st season last year, you played first 6 games of the season. Retired from the All Blacks, Ask him his enthusiasm towards this season. (Interviewed on：2024.Dec）

◆Looking forward to giving everything back to the team

――Last season, you managed to fit into the team immediately?

In New Zealand, I was lucky enough to play for the same team for long period of time, Chiefs and All Blacks. It took me about 4 games to understand everything in new team, new environment, new teammates, new coaches, and new city...

――How do you think you went last season？

It was enjoyable first half of the season, but I picked up an injury. I thought I was going to be Okay, but I wasn't. But really grateful for the way the club supported me through that time, It was hard not personally give back to the team on the field.

――How do you think you played for the games that you played ?

I thought I was OK. My back was probably hindering my performance a little bit, ability to train, and play as well as I wanted to.

――Coming up to second season, How do you want to approach the season?

I am fully recovered now. I've been playing good Rugby for the All Blacks this year, and hopefully I can continue that with Suntory. Grateful for the opportunity to come back and commit to the team looking forward to giving back everything that I can for the support that they gave me through tough time.
This season coming back, knowing the team, knowing the environment, knowing some of the simple things in life, everything feels a lot more comfortable and being able to settle back in really quickly so for the Rugby perspective, I am able to get back and play my best as quickly as possible

◆Proud moment

――Achieved to get 100 caps for the All Blacks, 13th player to ever achieve this

Just proud moment for myself and my family, I felt really lucky that the test match ended up on home soil in New Zealand. So made it easy for my friends and family to attend the match. Awesome that we get a good win. It was an enjoyable week.

――Will you continue to play for ALL BLACKS??

No. New Zealand Rugby rules state that cannot be selected from overseas. It was different last year because I still had a contract in New Zealand Rugby. But I committed to Suntory, so I am unavailable for the All Blacks.

――Is your family moving to Japan?

Yes. We all here in Japan. They were here last year as well. When we got over here, my wife just falls in pregnant, and she was feeling very sick, and during Cross Boarder we took an opportunity to go home for 10 days. Then came back, only 2 weeks later I hurt my back, and then I went home for surgery, and then 6 weeks later I came back to Japan for rehab

――What do you think about environment in Japan for your children?

I have 2 sons, one is 2 and half years old, and one is only 4 months. We've only been here for a week, moved into a new house that is closer to the clubhouse. So, when we are not training, we can come down and kick the ball around on the field, use this as an extension bit of a back yard for us. There are good parks around where we are. We are on the waiting list at preschools, hopefully he can get in so wife can have a little break from them. But obviously such a safe country and people are so kind.

◆Contribute to the team by my experience

――Now that you are healthy, what is your challenge leading up to your second season?

Just contributing to the team on the field. I realize that I got a lot of experience now so to do my best to pass that on and help the team in positive way. And I feel a lot more confident doing that it's my second season and I am staying on for long time. When I was here last time because it was short season, I didn't want to be too loud or too forceful. But now I have built relationship with everyone, so I feel more comfortable

――Games that you played, you looked like you positioned yourself in where team is most needed. Is there anything that you keep in your mind to achieve that?

Hopefully. I try base my game on hard work. Things that I can control, my effort area that getting up off the ground, getting into the position quickly so that I can see the game unfolding. And trying to get into good positions to influence. Based on hard work, getting into good position, and trust my Rugby ability to make the right decisions.

――Making the right decision is something you gained over your career?

I think so. Over time you learn to trust yourself. When you get out there, you trust your Rugby ability, from your experience. But for me it all comes off back of hard work.

――Did it take some time to build your confident since you become professional?

Yea, lots of hours of work, also trialing error. I went into the game focusing too hard on one thing, but ineffective in different area. Work hard during the week, work on my game but then come game day, go out and try to enjoy it, and trust myself to see the right things and react in the right way.

――It would be awesome if you can tutor young players how to build self confidence

I will do my best

◆want to be the best we can

――You look like a kind guy. Do you see yourself the same?

Hahaha, I like to try to be kind. I like to treat the people the way I like to be treated. I am who I am. But I want to win and do well. So, I will sometimes say what needs to be said but it comes from a caring place because I want us to be the best we can

――Is there anything you gained by being a captain for such a long period of time?

It was so different to captaining the Super Rugby level to captaining the All Blacks. So much more pressure, so much more things to worry about, but gave me good understanding of support needed, so hopefully I can help give some of that support to Horikoshi captain.

――Did you get a lot of support as well?

Yes. You really notice it helpful. It can feel quite lonely sometimes. So you end up relaying on other leaders to help you.

――What did you do when you felt lonely?

Wasn't fully alone but a lot of the responsibility sits on your shoulders.

――But it all turn into your motivation?

It comes back to that you care about the team and the result, if it doesn't go well, it feels heavy but likewise when they do go well probably get even more satisfaction than normally

――What is your goal towards this season as well as supporting the captain?

Our team goal is to win the league, lift the trophy. My individual goal would be influential on the field in the big games and look after my body.

(Interview & Structure: Kazuyoshi Hariya /Translator: Daiyu Ishimori)
[Photo: Aki Nagao]