Chiefs pushed each other home
All Blacks flank Sam Cane believes that the competition in the Chiefs squad was the key to their dominance in Super Rugby this year.
Although Cane made the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad ahead of the Crusaders' openside Matt Todd, he started the Super Rugby Final against the Brumbies in Hamilton on the bench.
The Waikato side secured their second consecutive Super Rugby title with a late surge as Cane and the other replacements steered them to victory over the Brumbies.
The visitors had the better of the game in the opening hour and built up a handy lead, but late tries from Liam Messam and Robbie Robinson saw the Chiefs take the title.
Cane said although it was disappointing not to start the final, the competition within the squad was a key factor in the Chiefs' dominance this season.
"The competition that we have got in our squad has been one of the things that has made us so successful. Everyone wants to start but only 15 can.
"As one of the guys on the bench you have just got to take it and realise that your role in the team is to train hard and then try and make an impact when you do come on," he said.
Cane said that there was a lot of nervous tension on the bench as the Brumbies built up a lead before the Chiefs replacements were unleashed.
"It is nervous on the bench, it is nerve-wracking times – especially the last few weeks. We just can't wait to get on and when we do we bring a lot of chatter, a lot of line speed and help get the boys home because they have done the job.
"There is change in momentum in different games and it is about controlling that momentum and having as much of it on your side as you can," he explained.
