Rugby: No timeline on return of former captain Sam Cane to All Blacks playing squad

Former captain Sam Cane is in camp with the All Blacks, as they build up for a series against England, but without a timeline for return to the field.

Absolutely none.

"He'll be available when he's ready," insisted assistant coach Scott Hansen. Twice.

Cane, 32, was not among the 32 players named for the first fixtures of new coach Scott Robertson's regime nor among the five injury covers, but has been invited to Wellington's NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport regardless.

With Robertson's arrival, his position as skipper was always tenuous, but he effectively circumvented any controversy by declaring his retirement from international rugby at the end of this season to take up a long-term contract with Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan.

Faced with a choice between World Player of the Year Ardie Save and lock Scott Barrett, Robertson duly opted for his former Crusaders captain to lead the national side.

Still rehabbing a back injury that cut short his sabbatical with the League One club, Cane - who needs five more games to bring up a century for his country - was not available against England and coaching staff are not putting any expectations on his return.

All nursing injuries, loose forward Cane, lock Josh Lord and winger Will Jordan are there to acclimatise to the new environment, although the veteran openside may have just as much to offer the new arrivals.

"They're good men," said Hansen. "They'll help us be better by being here.

"It's an opportunity for them to share their experiences, also to learn our game, to build relationships with them and they've all been outstanding.

"Sam Cane's influence on the group has been of guidance, of care... he is doing everything to help us be better. He is sharing stories and experiences, and understanding us as a management group also coming in, and connecting and understanding the All Blacks."

Lord, 23, is regarded as the future of the All Blacks second row, debuting against USA in 2021, but plagued by injury ever since and missing most of the last two Super Rugby Pacific seasons with the Chiefs.

"Lordy is coming back from a tough season, but we know the potential, we know what Lordy will be," mused Hansen.

 "Then you look at Will Jordan, who... is Will Jordan."

Jordan, 26, perhaps encapsulates how Robertson's reign may differ from predecessor Ian Foster, who used the Crusaders speedster exclusively on the wing, where he has scored 31 tries in as many tests.

In Super Rugby, Robertson employed Jordan at fullback and the expectation is he may now shift to the All Blacks No.15 jersey. 

Former captain Sam Cane is in camp with the All Blacks, as they build up for a series against England, but without a timeline for return to the field.

Absolutely none.

"He'll be available when he's ready," insisted assistant coach Scott Hansen. Twice.

Cane, 32, was not among the 32 players named for the first fixtures of new coach Scott Robertson's regime nor among the five injury covers, but has been invited to Wellington's NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport regardless.

With Robertson's arrival, his position as skipper was always tenuous, but he effectively circumvented any controversy by declaring his retirement from international rugby at the end of this season to take up a long-term contract with Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan.

Faced with a choice between World Player of the Year Ardie Save and lock Scott Barrett, Robertson duly opted for his former Crusaders captain to lead the national side.

Still rehabbing a back injury that cut short his sabbatical with the League One club, Cane - who needs five more games to bring up a century for his country - was not available against England and coaching staff are not putting any expectations on his return.

All nursing injuries, loose forward Cane, lock Josh Lord and winger Will Jordan are there to acclimatise to the new environment, although the veteran openside may have just as much to offer the new arrivals.

"They're good men," said Hansen. "They'll help us be better by being here.

"It's an opportunity for them to share their experiences, also to learn our game, to build relationships with them and they've all been outstanding.

"Sam Cane's influence on the group has been of guidance, of care... he is doing everything to help us be better. He is sharing stories and experiences, and understanding us as a management group also coming in, and connecting and understanding the All Blacks."

Lord, 23, is regarded as the future of the All Blacks second row, debuting against USA in 2021, but plagued by injury ever since and missing most of the last two Super Rugby Pacific seasons with the Chiefs.

"Lordy is coming back from a tough season, but we know the potential, we know what Lordy will be," mused Hansen.

 "Then you look at Will Jordan, who... is Will Jordan."

Jordan, 26, perhaps encapsulates how Robertson's reign may differ from predecessor Ian Foster, who used the Crusaders speedster exclusively on the wing, where he has scored 31 tries in as many tests.

In Super Rugby, Robertson employed Jordan at fullback and the expectation is he may now shift to the All Blacks No.15 jersey. 

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