18 Nov 2020

All Blacks: Captain Cane backs under fire coach

7:38 am on 18 November 2020

Don't panic.

That's essentially the message from All Blacks captain Sam Cane in the wake of the side's consecutive losses to Australia and Argentina, which has left new coach Ian Foster with just two wins from his first five tests in charge.

Cane is defending Foster who has been heavily criticised in the wake of the All Blacks historic first loss to Argentina at the weekend.

Cane told Sky Sports Breakdown Foster has given the side a clear approach that works as evidenced by the 43-5 win over the Wallabies two weeks ago in Sydney.

All Blacks captain Sam Cane.

All Blacks captain Sam Cane leads his team off the field after the loss to the Pumas. Photo: Photosport

"(I've) been really impressed with Foz (Foster) with the way he has stood up. He has given us a really clear focus on what we need to do. It doesn't feel like we are bogged down and don't have the answers...it was only two weeks ago everyone was singing our praises."

Cane understands the pressure Foster is under.

"If I am having my leadership questioned in public, the peoples opinion who really matter to me are my teamates and the coaches who I work with every single day.... and I have a lot of confidence we are on the right track."

He does accept they have been guilty of "tunnel vision" at time however.

"When we are trying to get our attack back running...anyone who carries the ball wants to truck it up as hard as they can, make the best carry and take the opposition on physically - when some times the most obvious option when we pause the video...(we see) the space was actually two passes wider.

But because of that tunnel vision and that willingness to take the ball up we miss a couple of those opportunities and it only has to be a couple of those opportunities ...(that) can change the whole dynamic of a game."

While Argentina managed to beat the All Blacks not having played a test in over a year and having been under strict COVID-19 isolation protocols, Cane maintains the All Blacks are feeling the impact of five tests in six weeks.

"the only time we play so many tests would be at a World Cup and we certainly can't underestimate the toll it takes on some guys being away from home and we have a lot of young dads...these aren't excuses it's just the reality," said Cane.