Sam Cane to captain New Zealand in Rugby Championship opener against Argentina

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has confirmed back-row Sam Cane to lead the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship opening game against Argentina to be played in Buenos Aires on 21st July.

Regular captain Kieran Lead along with Sam Whitelock and six other Crusaders players including the likes of Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Matt Todd, Richie Mo’unga and Jack Goodhue were handed a rest following their Super Rugby triumph.

Newcomers Sevu Reece and Braydon Ennor and George Bridge, who has a solitary Test appearance are set to fly in the squad for their trip to Argentina but Hansen confirmed that Sonny Bill Williams is unlikely to be risked as he recovers from an injury.

“We want him to go back and train and if he flies he loses four days of his training time,” he told the All Blacks’ official website.

“As much as we want him to play and he needs game time, if he’s not 100 percent, there’s not point putting him out there and him reinjuring it. We’ll make that decision next week. He’s training really well, making very good progress.”

Following the game against Argentina, New Zealand will also face South Africa and Australia in Wellington and Perth respectively in the remainder of the Rugby Championship fixtures.