The Emperor with no clothes

So that was a good game for the All Blacks in the Dead Rubber test.  New players got a run, Barrett proved, once again that he is capable of playing for 80 minutes; a bit like he does in Super Rugby.

But it’s time to talk about the tusked animal in the room.

Sam Cane is not an All Black.

This coaching and selecting panel in the post Graham Henry era has been very good, and very consistent, but It is surely time for them to realise they’ve got this one wrong.

There have been two arguments put forward during the week for the idea that Sam Cane should start, and always start, as the All Black Number Seven.

1. He is part of the Leadership Group.

For a start; what is a leadership group?  And what has he ever done to be part of that?  And how sacred is this Leadership Group?  Is there a password?

2. He is a better starting player.

Really?  He has spent the last four years on the bench, coming on when McCaw’s limbs started hurting.  And how many of those do you actually remember?

Tonight he was the weak link.  Four unnecessary penalties followed by a Yellow Card.  Some say he’s the new Reuben Thorne, but that’s probably a bit harsh on Thorne.

He fits into that great New Zealand sporting lexicon.

Germon (n) Player who makes NZ sports side solely by virtue of perceived leadership qualities.

(syn) Brown-noser.