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All Blacks: Ardie Savea in line for move to open side after Sam Cane injury: Planet Rugby
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All Blacks: Ardie Savea in line for move to open side after Sam Cane injury: Planet Rugby

The All Blacks will be without Sam Cane and Mark Tele’a for this weekend’s clash with France after both picked up injuries.

Cane, who is in his final year of Test rugby, will miss the match with a head injury as he suffered a nasty cut in the 23-13 win over Ireland.

New Zealand will also be without Tele’a in Paris after scans showed he injured his hand in Dublin on Friday.

As a result, Scott Robertson called up Du’Plessis Kirifi and Chay Fihaki as cover, while Fabian Holland joined the squad following Sam Darry’s knee injury.

“The doctor did a hell of a job, it was a real deep cut,” All Blacks boss Robertson said of Cane’s injury.

International retirement

Sugar cane has announced that 2024 will be his last in Test rugby, but hopefully the winger still has one last game to say goodbye to when he faces Italy in the final game of the year.

If not, then the big rower will prepare his colleagues for the challenges that will come against France and the Azzurri.

“It’s the next man up though, we’re backing our team and we’ve got no doubt whoever comes in will do a great job,” forwards coach Jason Ryan said.

“But Sam was huge, he was exceptional, really, on the pitch. But he will drive in a different way next week.”

Cane’s absence is a significant blow to All Blackswho are already without Dalton Papali’i, Luke Jacobson and Ethan Blackadder due to injury.

Therefore, they are severely depleted in the back row. That means Robertson could finally change Ardie Savea to open the side in what would be a popular call for fans and pundits alike.

The All Blacks head coach might be reluctant to change what worked against England and Ireland, but with the inexperienced Peter Lakai and Kirifi as their only back seven options, changing Savea would make more sense.

If that’s the case, away star Wallace Sititi is likely to move to number eight – the position he plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific – with Samipeni Finau potentially moving into the orbit.

Robertson could also switch captain Scott Barrett from lock, which could be tempting given the size of that French pack, and which would allow Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa’i to combine in the second row

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But it is the possible decision to trade Savea that would excite both supporters and former players, who have been calling.

All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson has claimed Robertson is considering the move for 2025 due to Cane’s impending retirement, with Savea’s role changing slightly since Sititi’s introduction, but could now be tried earlier.

“I play more like a seven”

“I expect next year Ardie Savea will be our starting number seven at Test match level, that’s the feeling I get, the feeling I get,” Wilson said ahead of New Zealand’s Northern Hemisphere tour.

“Even at the moment, he’s playing a bit more like a seven. Look at him, his defense is really good, he gets over the ball again – I really like what he does.”

Despite Cane’s loss, there was more positive news for New Zealanders Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett, who both completed their return-to-play protocols.

Taylor and Barrett missed the meeting with Ireland but will be in contention for selection as the All Blacks look to make it four out of four in the north.

“I think the front row selections are the toughest I’ve ever had in my coaching career with the competition that’s out there,” Ryan said.

“It’s a credit to all the guys, I’m not going to name names but they’re all working hard and it’s going to make for some tough conversations over the next couple of days.”

READ MORE: Scott Barrett accuses Ireland star of cheap shot after ‘below the line’ hit on Damian McKenzie