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Sam Cane is free to lead the All Blacks against the Springboks in Auckland on Saturday night.
The New Zealand skipper won’t face any punishment for lashing out with his leg at a pitch-invader following his side’s impressive win over Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener in Mendoza on Sunday morning (NZ time).
The tournament’s governing body, Sanzaar, has opted to take no formal action over Cane’s role in the incident.
Cane said on Monday night he regretted his “split-second” decision to kick out at the teenager, but felt he ended the matter with the young man later that night on a “positive” note.
Cane spoke out on the incident after touching down in Auckland to begin preparations for a blockbuster clash against the world champion South Africa at Mount Smart Stadium.
He clarified he had felt bad in the aftermath because of the invader’s age but explained his intent had only been to assist security in removing someone from the field who should not have been there. He confirmed he had apologised to the teenage rugby player for his action.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane stuck out a foot and tripped a young fan who ran on to the field in Mendoza.
The All Blacks skipper’s action in felling one of a number of pitch invaders in a “chaotic” post-game scene after their Rugby Championship opener took some of the gloss off an outstanding performance from Ian Foster’s men to open their World Cup campaign.
Cane had gathered with his All Blacks team-mates after the 41-12 win over the Pumas at Estadio Mavinas Argentinas when the invader ran past him. The openside flanker poked out a boot that brought him to the turf, before quickly getting back to his feet. A pursuing security guard then continued the chase.
Cane admitted back in Auckland that the incident looked bad on video, but wanted to clarify the context of the situation as it was being reviewed by governing body Sanzaar.
“I saw a pitch invader running towards the team with a security guard some distance behind. In that split–second I made the decision to assist the security guard in stopping him, so he could take him off the field,” he said.
Cane said his action had not been because of any fear of danger to the players, and when he realised that it was a youngster he had brought down his view quickly changed to wanting to take the lead on an apology.
Daniel Jayo/Getty Images
All Blacks skipper Sam Cane poses with a trophy after winning their Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Mendoza.
”What people wouldn’t realise is there is a big moat round the field and in the time between the final whistle and our team huddle there had already been about five pitch invaders and security were doing the best they could. It was a bit chaotic out there.
“I’d say if he was an adult, I wouldn’t have felt I needed to [apologise], but the fact he was a teenager … straight away I felt bad because of his age, then when we got back into the sheds I was reflecting on it and once we got back to the hotel I looked into the possibility of reaching out to him.
Foster is likely to make some key tweaks to his lineup, with senior locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, dynamic hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, form Crusaders fullback Will Jordan and sizzling Blues wing Mark Telea expected to come into the selection frame.
South Africa opened their tournament campaign with a crushing 43-12 home win over Australia on Sunday.
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