Cane to captain Gatland's Chiefs
SUPER RUGBY NEWS: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland revealed that loose forward Sam Cane will captain the Chiefs for the upcoming Super Rugby season.
Gatland said Cane is a respected member of the Chiefs squad and is a notable leader.
“Sam has co-captained the Chiefs since 2016. He is an experienced campaigner who is well respected by the players and management. We believe it was important to identify one person this season to lead the team and that individual would be supported by the team’s leadership group,” said Gatland.
Cane has been a formidable member of the Chiefs since his debut in 2012 and played his role in the Chiefs 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby title wins. Cane has co-captained alongside Charlie Ngatai, Aaron Cruden and Brodie Retallick for the past four seasons.
Having played 111 games for the Chiefs and 68 games for the All Blacks, Cane has been a proven leader both on and off the field. He continues to lead from the front with his strong work ethic and knowledge of the game.
Honoured by the announcement, Cane said he was privileged to lead a talented group.
“It is an honour to be asked to captain this side and I am excited for the season to kick off,” said the captain.
“We have a talented squad, with a good mix of experience and gifted young players. This combined with a fantastic group of experienced leaders, we believe will be the right ingredients to help drive us to another title.”
Cane said he is looking forward to the opportunity to work with Gatland.
“We are privileged to be able to have a coach of his calibre lead a great coaching group. I am looking forward to working with and learning off Warren this season.”
Gallagher Chiefs Captain for 2020 – Sam Cane 👏🏽
FULL STORY: https://t.co/gIC6Sl65eD pic.twitter.com/b9IgTrA69z
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) January 15, 2020
*Meanwhile, the Chiefs will kick off their 2020 season in front of a sold-out Waihi crowd on Friday when they take the field to face the Blues.
This will be the sides only pre-season fixture before they launch into the uper Rugby season against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday, January 31.
Gatland has named a 35-man squad to take part in the pre-season match. The starting XV features the return of All Black Damian McKenzie, and several rookies including talented Bay of Plenty first five Kaleb Trask, Waikato’s Quinn Tupaea and Tasman prop Ryan Coxon. It is expected the sold-out crowd will be in for an entertaining tussle between the two sides across four 20-minute quarters.
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Shaun Stevenson, 10 Kaleb Trask, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 3 Reuben O’Neill, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ryan Coxon.
Replacements – from: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Ross Geldenhuys, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Lachlan Boshier, Lisati Milo-Harris, Orbyn Ledger, Solomon Alaimalo, Tiaan Falcon, Leroy Carter, James Thompson, Tupou Vaa’i, Aidan Ross, Simon Parker, Josh Lord, Donald Maka, Bailyn Sullivan, Dylan Nel, Robb Cobb, Alex Nankivell.
Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Tamati Tua, 12 TJ Faiane (captain), 11 A J Lam, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, 5 James Tucker, 4 Jacob Pierce, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements – from: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Tevita Mafileo, Ray Niuia, Luteru Tolai/ Soane Vikena, Sam Caird, Aaron Carroll, Josh Goodhue, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Tony Lamborn, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Lewis Gjaltema, Stephen Perofeta, Jordan Hyland, Harry Plummer, Tanielu Tele’a, Joe Marchant, Emoni Narawa, Zarn Sullivan.
Date: Friday, January 17
Venue: Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, Waihi
Kick-off: 15.00 (02.00 GMT)
Referees: Dan Waenga
We’re only one day away from 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 in Waihi ☀️#SunSmart #PreSeason pic.twitter.com/YOqlVP7o47
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) January 15, 2020
