No hangover for Jane
Unlike many of his All Blacks teammates Hurricanes star Cory Jane has shown so signs of a World Cup hangover, and is one of the form players in Super Rugby this season.
The 29-year-old is one of the stars in a devastating three-pronged threat in the outside backs for the ‘Canes, combining brilliantly with Andre Taylor and Julian Savea.
While Taylor has been in sublime try-scoring form, it has often been Jane who has created the opening for his flying teammate to crack on the pace and finish the job.
The Hurricanes veteran has also adapted well to life on the wing at the ‘Canes, in a switch from last season, where Jane wore the No.15 jersey and Taylor was on the wing.
“I guess it was easier going to the wing,” Jane told Sportal.co.nz. “But I haven’t got as much ball or been involved as much as I would like,” he added.
“I’m trying to do the other things more, like chase the ball, chase kick-offs now and I try and make some tackles and get some turnovers to try and get myself into the game a bit more.”
Jane also proved last weekend that his hand-off is a powerful as ever, with Blues wing George Moala the unlucky recipient of a strong Jane fend.
The backline ace admitted that it was hard to get back to top form in the aftermath of the World Cup triumph, as many All Blacks have discovered this season.
“It’s tough coming off a World Cup,” he said. “The pressures of last year (for everyone) of trying to make the team and then the pressure on the boys (at the tournament).
“The boys had a couple months’ break and some of them enjoyed it a bit too much maybe but it’s fair enough. It’s hard to get back up.
“But at the end of the day we’re all paid to do this. This is our job. We need to front. If you talked to everybody they won’t be where they want to be in rugby after the World Cup. It’s still a big year. The boys have got a bit of time to improve.”
Jane believes being dropped from the New Zealand team during the Tri-Nations last year has helped him focus and remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to the All Blacks.
“That’s the best thing about this game, if you’re not guaranteed anything it makes you play harder,” Jane said. “I learned that last year when I missed out on the Tri-Nations.
“I was in as injury cover… I was absolutely gutted. I kind of took it a little bit for granted that I was going to make it. It makes you go out there and work harder and get that jersey back. Hopefully I can get it this year.”
