SAM CANE " Turnover and carry the ball to the other side "

Cane has been performing as expected. He spoke about rugby in Japan, his first time abroad, in a calm and gentle tone throughout. (Interviewed on: Feb 2024)

◆I want to do it like a Japanese person

――Just before the interview,　you were having a Japanese lessons, but has your Japanese improved?

It is difficult, but I am gradually getting better at it. It is fun to study Japanese.

――You seemed to be trying to speak Japanese from the press conference right after you arrived in Japan.

When I came to Japan, I was aware that I wanted to experience Japanese culture as much as possible and do everything like a Japanese person, including eating, etc. By speaking a little Japanese, Japanese players laugh at me and support me. Everyone understands a little English, which makes it easier, but I try to speak Japanese as much as possible.

――Do you feel that you are becoming more and more like a Japanese person?

I have not become more Japanese (laughs),It took me some time to get used to the culture at first. It took me a while to get along with everyone and to understand the Japanese language, which I did not know at all when I first came to Japan, but after about a month, I was able to understand Japanese rugby terms, and now I feel very comfortable playing with everyone.

◆Getting used to different styles

――You seemed to have fitted in well from the beginning of the season but what do you think?

The first three weeks were a struggle for me. I struggled because I had played on the same team in New Zealand for 10 years and then suddenly I was in a new culture and had to think about a new team, new teammates, new calls, and so on. I think I was comfortable playing in the second half of the three weeks.
I understood some of the overall aspects from the beginning, but I think that just understanding the strengths and weaknesses of my teammates helped my performance, and having to think about the details during play delayed my reactions. Now I think I am able to move more naturally and say, "This player is like this."

――Does everything seem to be going well now?

It seems to be going very well now. Getting used to the logistics of the host and visitor games and getting other various things makes all the difference.

◆To always be where I think teammates need to be.

――You have two tries in Sungoliath, but do you think your attack is going well?

The two tries this season were really a case of luck standing in the right place; everyone worked hard, and the ball came around at the last minute. As for my strengths, they are in defense, but I have been working to make attack my strength as well, and since Sungoliath is an attacking team, I hope I can successfully make attack my strength as well.

――You stand out in defense, but what kind of things do you pay attention to when you play?

I think it totally depends on the scenario, but I always try to be where I think my teammates need me to be. If I am on the ground, I try to stand as early as possible to support the team, or if the ball carrier is in front of me, I try to get up as far as possible, or wherever I think the team needs me.

――What are your current challenges?

Right now, I think my biggest challenge is to get my body in the best condition it can be in. If I can get my body in the best condition, I will be able to put more pressure on breakdowns, etc., and I think the first step is to get my physical condition right.

――Is it in good shape now?

I think I am in better shape now that I have had a few weeks off. I look forward to getting back on the field with everyone as soon as possible.

――How do you feel about joining the Tokyo Sungoliath? In the 5th and 6th round, we had a series of come back wins in the last play.

I really love the team and I think everyone is great, both organizationally and character of everyone. I think we are a very good team. As for the games, we didn't get off to a good start in those two games, so that is an issue, and we are talking as a team about improving our start and our defense.

◆The desire to be tough

――As the captain of the New Zealand national team what do you think about Tokyo Sungoliath, which has many experienced captains?

I think Hori (Kosuke Horikoshi) is wonderful, the way he organizes the team, etc. When I first came to Japan, Hori and I talked to each other about what kind of support I could provide and what kind of things he was looking for. I really think Hori is a good captain and does a great job. He takes care of everyone when he is off the field, and I think he is very tough on the field and willing to go tougher than everyone else, which is why everyone follows him.

――How was the World Cup in France, where you participated as captain?

When we talk about the World Cup, I think everyone is talking about the final, but we beat Ireland in the quarterfinals, which was a tough game, and then we beat Argentina, and looking back on it now, I think we have grown as a team and can take pride in that result. I think we have grown as a team and we can be proud of that. It is tough to think that we could have won the final with just a little bit more. When I think about the World Cup, I think we made good growth as a team.

――After the final, you commented that you would never forget it, but do you still remember it?

Even now, I still can't forget it, and the damage is great because everyone puts in a lot of time and devotes everything to win a World Cup tournament. I am sure I will be able to forget it little by little as time goes by, but right now I can't forget it.

◆Yoi ichinichi wo

――What are your goals for this season?

My goal is to win the championship. I would like to contribute to the team toward that championship, so I will do what I can and try to grow every day.

――What do you enjoy about playing rugby?

Personally, the most enjoyable time for me is when I defend through multiple phases, get the ball back, and carry it to the other side of the field for a try. The best feeling is when we stop the opponent's attack as a team, and everyone does their part to get the ball back, and anyone, not just myself, can turnover and carry the ball to the other side of the field as a team.

――How many times have you experienced that?

There are times like that. There are times when Sungoliath defends multiphase and gets the ball back, so I think that is one of our strengths.

――Since you are studying Japanese, please try to say your favorite Japanese word at the end.

Okay (laughs). My favorite is "Yoi ichinichi wo"(The meaning in English is "Have a nice day."). I also put all the other important Japanese words in my memo. (In Japanese while looking at the memo.) Today I learned "Nihongo ga wakarimasen.(The meaning in English is "I don't understand Japanese"), "Eigo ga wakarimasuka?"(The meaning in English is "Do you understand English?"), "Aka wain"(The meaning in English is "Red wine"),"Mizu"( The meaning in English is "Water"),"Tsumetai biiru"(The meaning in English is "Cold beer"),"Oishii"(The meaning in English is "Delicious" (laughs) ), "Toire ha doko?" (The meaning in English is "Where is the restroom?"), "Soko"(The meaning in English is "There"), "Hajimemashite"(The meaning in English is "Nice to meet you").

――Thank you very much.

"Iie, Dou itashimashite"(The meaning in English is "You're welcome")

(Interview & Structure: Kazuyoshi Hariya /Translator: Jesse Okitaro Hino)
[Photo: Aki Nagao]