Opinion: Sam Cane in a class of his own

Bay of Plenty's Sam Cane was a colossus on defence against Wales yesterday. PHOTO/PHOTOSPORT

When excellent referee Wayne Barnes blew for time in Cardiff yesterday

The All Blacks managed to beat Wales comfortably enough 33-18, despite having just 39 per cent possession and 33 per cent territory, to finish a season that deserves a pass mark but not much more.

The hype surrounding the first British and Irish Lions tour for 12 years dominated the early part of the year - quite rightly. It mostly lived up to expectations until the final farcical minutes of the deciding third test when French referee Roman Poite forgot the rule book.

Sunday morning's victory over a wonderfully inventive Wales side, lacking the individual brilliance of Beauden Barrett, Damian "Big Jim" McKenzie and Rieko Ioane, was a personal tour de force for Reporoa-born openside flanker Sam Cane.

His defence was staggering. With Wales rampant in the first 25 minutes, it was Cane who held back the red tide. No one in the game hits harder than Cane - ask Wales halfback Rhys Webb when his head clears.

After his finest game in the black jersey, a new rugby term of being "Sam Caned" should become the calling-card for players smashed in the tackle.

Even by his own lofty standards, the defensive effort in Cardiff was staggering. Ioane was given man of the match for his two tries but it is about time the people who make those decisions actually watch the game rather than just picking out a try scorer.

Smashing people back in the tackle has been Cane's signature dish since he played for Bay of Plenty age group sides. Former All Black openside Tanerau Latimer tells a story of feeling the brunt of a Cane special when the schoolboy was invited to Steamers training. Nothing has changed since.

When Cane was first declared the back-up to replace Richie McCaw, there were plenty of doubters. Many preferred Canterbury's Matt Todd or Wellington's Ardie Savea. Not now. Cane's best years are ahead of him and he has earned the right to no longer be compared to McCaw. He is creating his own legacy.

With an almost impregnable defensive line, the All Blacks look comfortable letting the opposition have the ball and soaking up multiple phases that fatigue teams not as well conditioned. Barrett and co are happy to wait to get turnover ball and go from deep with attacking players unmatched in the game.

The world game is changing. Former powerhouses France, South Africa and Australia are no longer the threat they were, with the home nations of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland now serious World Cup threats.

They have all evolved their game to match the All Blacks to the betterment of the game. No longer do British and Irish teams look to win with kicking penalty goals. With the All Blacks averaging more than 30 points per test, there is little to be gained from that anyway.

One thing to work on for the All Blacks hierarchy is to try and keep all 15 players on the field. The number of yellow cards awarded against them is the one major negative from this year's campaign.