All Blacks: Hansen has faith in Cane's ability

Sam Cane will play No 7 against the Springboks. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Hansen believes Sam Cane is ready for the toughest challenge of his short career on Saturday partly because he has the requisite mental toughness and an ability to put things in perspective.

It is a theme developed by the man himself, who stated yesterday as he prepared to take on a buoyant Springboks in what promises to be a blockbuster Rugby Championship test at Eden Park: "I'm not going to try to emulate Richie McCaw."

With the Boks one point ahead of the All Blacks, the winners will take a firm grasp of the Championship with two matches remaining - in New Zealand's case two tricky away tests against the Pumas and South Africa.

"He's been the best in the world for a long time and he's obviously the leader of this All Blacks team so it makes sense that there's going to be a bit missing when he's not out there, but all I can do is go out there and play my game," Cane said.

Asked whether New Zealand's long list of excellent No 7s - Graham Mourie, Michael Jones, Josh Kronfeld, McCaw et al - compounded the pressure and expectation, Cane said: "You put your own expectations on yourself and there are high expectations in this All Black environment so nothing really changes."

Hansen said of Cane, who has played only nine tests: "He's ready. He's been around the environment for quite some time now.

"He's a good athlete [and] mentally he's able to put things in perspective... [which is] not an easy job coming in and following a guy like McCaw because you're compared to him all the time. He's just got to be his own man and do his own things that he does really well.

"How does he cope? We've got to do a job in the tight five and if we don't ... then their loose forwards as a trio will dominate."

Cane's Chiefs' teammate Liam Messam's return from a hamstring injury will add more of a defensive element to the pack, with No 8 and skipper Kieran Read a crucial element to the All Blacks in rounding out the home team's loose trio.

Cane recognises both the responsibility placed on his shoulders and the opportunity.

Having made his test debut against Ireland last year, he started all three tests against France in June when McCaw was having his sabbatical.

He said: "It's good to be starting. After a warm-up with the All Blacks and the atmosphere you're always ready to go anyway so it will be good not having to wait."