New Zealander · Te Kuiti, New Zealand · Born 14 August 1993Sam Cane is a hard-tackling All Blacks flanker who captained New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Samuel Jordan Cane was born on 13 January 1992 in Rotorua, New Zealand, and attended Tauranga Boys' College, the same school that produced New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson. He was part of the New Zealand under-20 side that won the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship, before making his Chiefs debut in 2011 and his All Blacks debut in 2012. Cane developed into one of the most combative and reliable opensides of his generation, helping the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, and was part of New Zealand's victorious 2015 World Cup squad, becoming the youngest All Blacks captain in decades when he led the side against Namibia that year at just 23. Cane was appointed permanent All Blacks captain in 2020, succeeding Kieran Read, and led the team through a challenging and heavily scrutinised period, guiding New Zealand to four Rugby Championship titles across his captaincy. He captained the All Blacks to the final of the 2023 World Cup in Paris, though his tournament ended in controversy when he was shown a red card in the final itself, which New Zealand lost by a single point to South Africa. Cane retired from international rugby after that tournament with over 100 Test caps and 27 as captain, moving to Japan's Suntory Sungoliath, and has since become a respected voice on leadership and resilience, drawing on a captaincy defined by intense public scrutiny and hard-won composure.
All Blacks captain, 2015 World Cup winner
How They Played
Cane is renowned for his exceptional work rate and tenacious play at the breakdown, consistently winning turnovers and slowing down opposition ball. His leadership on the field is exemplary, directing traffic and making crucial tactical decisions under pressure. He combines traditional openside flanker skills with strong ball-handling abilities and solid defensive positioning.
Lasting Impact
Cane has maintained New Zealand's tradition of world-class openside flankers, following in the footsteps of legends like Richie McCaw while bringing his own leadership style to the All Blacks captaincy.
Career Honours
- Rugby World Cup winner 2015
- Rugby Championship titles
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 2012–2024 | 139 |
 New Zealand | — | 95 |
New Zealander Athletes