All Blacks Skipper Sam Cane Faces Lengthy Spell on Sidelines in Japan

Sam Cane’s stint in Japan’s League One has hit a roadblock with reports surfacing of the All Blacks captain sustaining a back injury that could sideline him for the remainder of the season. Cane, currently plying his trade with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, finds himself grappling with an untimely setback as his team vies for top honors in the league. The news of Cane’s injury comes amidst Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath also grappling with the absence of Springbok speedster Cheslin Kolbe due to a hand injury.

Reported by Japan-based journalist Rich Freeman on Twitter, the setbacks for Sungoliath’s imports have raised concerns within the club. “Sungoliath having some bad luck with their imports,” Freeman lamented. “Gareth Anscombe forced to leave the club before playing a game, and I am now hearing on the grapevine that Sam Cane could be out for 10 weeks (back) and Cheslin Kolbe for 4-6 weeks (hand).”

Cane’s injury ordeal echoes past struggles, including a back issue that sidelined him during the early stages of the Rugby World Cup. Moreover, the 32-year-old faced adversity when he suffered a neck injury back in 2018.

If the reported 10-week recovery timeline holds true, Cane might return to fitness by mid-May, just ahead of the All Blacks’ inaugural Test against England slated for July 6. Meanwhile, Kolbe’s injury timeline indicates a potential return within the ongoing season, alleviating concerns regarding his availability for international duties in 2024.

Reflecting on his previous back injury, Cane expressed frustration at the unpredictable nature of such setbacks. “Back troubles can kind of pop up out of nowhere sometimes and it can be quite frustrating,” Cane remarked following his absence from the World Cup opener. “Unfortunately for me, it was just lingering, and as I would increase my training load, it would flare up a little bit again.”

As Cane embarks on his recovery journey, Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath and All Blacks fans alike await his return to full fitness, hoping for a swift and successful rehabilitation process for the esteemed captain.