All Blacks captain ‘still shocked’ by World Cup red

Sam Cane considered becoming the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final when the All Blacks skipper saw red for a dangerous tackle against the Springboks last year.

Cane endured the ignominy of becoming the first player to receive a red card in a World Cup final for a tackle on Jesse Kriel in the 28th minute of the clash with the Springboks in Paris.

Initially receiving a yellow card, the decision was upgraded to red after review by TMO manager Tom Foley. The crucial factor was Cane’s upright posture during the tackle, with no attempt to lean.

Reflecting on the NZR+ Series Incident All black people in their own words, Cane admitted he had let the All Blacks down.

“To be honest, I feel like it’s not real,” the 32-year-old said.

“You really can’t understand the shock you experience sitting in this chair. Just the overwhelming feeling of letting my teammates down when they needed me the most.

“Jesse did a complete U-turn and ended up coming back to me. I was a little caught off guard, it was a pretty straight tackle. Then, yes, of course, they stop the game and (give) a yellow card,” Cane added.

“Then the linesman came and just said, ‘He’s going to go red.

“Even now, I just say those words. I just feel the tension. I guess the feeling of shock I felt then hits me again now.

“All of a sudden I find myself in this sin bin chair, I turn my shoulder and all our families are there. I can look my parents in the eyes, who have supported me for so long and who came here to support me.

“My wife, my sisters, the other boys’ families who you must have known closely for a long time and just the overwhelming feeling of ‘I let my teammates down, when they needed me the most’.”

Photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP