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Home / Sport / Rugby / All Blacks

All Blacks loose forward Sam Cane heading home after horror neck injury

NZ Herald
16 Oct, 2018 05:31 PM5 mins to read

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Sam Cane gives the thumbs up following neck surgery. Photo / Twitter @allblacks

Sam Cane gives the thumbs up following neck surgery. Photo / Twitter @allblacks

All Blacks flanker Sam Cane is on his way home following neck surgery in South Africa.

The 26-year-old has begun the road to recovery after suffering a neck fracture in the dramatic comeback win over the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld.

Cane posted a photo on Instagram at Johannesburg with his fiancee and mother.

"My extended stay in South Africa has come to an end & I'm finally on my way home!
The care and support I've received from the people of South Africa has been amazing and much appreciated. Thank you. I've also been very lucky to have these two lovely nurses looking after me. Looking forward to getting home!" he posted.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sam Cane (@samcane7)

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Cane, who is expected to make a full recovery, wasn't named in the All Blacks 51-man squad to tour Japan and Europe as he faces the rest of the season off.

Last week Cane tweeted how thankful he was for the support from fans across the globe.

pic.twitter.com/X3jVlZnHTa

— Sam Cane (@SamCane7) October 10, 2018

"A few things to be thankful for. Firstly, the circumference and strength of my neck, I may not be standing without it," Cane said.

"Secondly, the world class medical and surgical team I've had here in Pretoria, couldn't have asked for anything more."

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UPDATE | #AllBlacks loose forward @SamCane7 is up and about after his successful operation in South Africa. Sam would like to thank everyone for all the support he has received from around the world, he is set to make a full recovery. 👊 pic.twitter.com/sdbeSMHVkI

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 9, 2018

The All Blacks' official Twitter account earlier posted an update after Cane's operation.

"@SamCane7 is up and about after his successful operation in South Africa. Sam would like to thank everyone for all the support he has received from around the world, he is set to make a full recovery," the Tweet said.

After a collision with Springboks loose forward Francois Louw in the 35th minute of the All Blacks comeback victory, Cane stayed down and then looked in obvious pain.

He needed surgery to repair a fracture on the lower right side of his neck and will remain in South Africa for a week to recover.

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All Blacks doctor Tony Paige said there was no nerve damage but he will stay to monitor Cane's progress.

[All Blacks aftermath: The Houdini on the Highveld - All you need to know about ABs dramatic comeback]

While expected to recover, Cane will be out for at least three months and, therefore, misses the northern tour which opens with the third Bledisloe in Yokohama in three weeks.

"First he's got to get through the operation," Paige told media in South Africa. "We have every confidence he'll do well with that and then like any fracture it takes a couple of weeks and months. It will probably take about three months for the bone to get strong but we'll just take it step by step.

"The operation is really just to keep everything in the right place so the bone can heal on its own accord."

Like All Blacks captain Kieran Read following his spinal surgery late last year, Cane's return to play will be a cautious affair.

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"Many sportsmen have had this injury and people in other walks of life and they usually make a good recovery. It's one level of the neck.

"Sam's in good spirits he's obviously sore in the middle of the night as you are the night after a fracture but he's being well looked after and is getting lots of support and texts and phone calls."

Given concern around a break in the neck, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen attempted to downplay fears.

"Once you remove the drama of it being a neck injury you've just got to look at it and treat it like any fracture," Hansen said.

"It's obviously really disappointing for Sam and his family but the pleasing news is he's being given great medical care from the time of the injury through the whole process and best of all he's going to get a full recovery and play again."

UPDATE: All Blacks loose forward @SamCane7 is to have surgery in Johannesburg today after suffering a fracture in his neck in last night’s Test against South Africa. Expected to make a full recovery. 1/2

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 7, 2018

2/2 All Blacks Doctor Tony Page said Cane had suffered a fracture in a vertebrae but thankfully had not suffered any nerve damage. Cane will stay in South Africa for the week before flying home. Will be out of rugby for several months.

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 7, 2018
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