Wellington (AFP) – All Blacks captain Sam Cane said on Wednesday he was “pleasantly surprised” by the support from New Zealand rugby fans following his World Cup red card.
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Kane made history in Saturday’s 12-11 defeat by South Africa in Paris, becoming the first player to be sent off in a Rugby World Cup final.
The All Blacks were greeted by a small crowd at Auckland Airport when they arrived home in New Zealand.
Cane said the level of well wishes from their fans during the tournament in France was overwhelming.
“The support is something I haven’t experienced as an All Black,” Cane told reporters. “It’s the best I’ve found and that’s from halfway around the world.
“I said before the final that it was overwhelming. And in that way, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the support post in the final.
“I felt like I let a lot of people down and I feel like the support definitely helped. On a personal level, I appreciate all the kind words. It means a lot.”
The 31-year-old looked shell-shocked during the final when the yellow card he initially received for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel was upgraded to a red.
The New Zealand skipper said some motherly advice has since helped him come to terms with the sacking.
“My mom actually said to me, if it was my boyfriend (son) who was in that situation, ‘how would you want him to feel and you wouldn’t want him to kill himself,’ so (I’m) trying not to be too hard on him.” myself,” he added.
All Blacks No.8 Ardie Savea, who was named World Rugby player of the year on Sunday, said it was a “bittersweet” moment to be greeted by crowds of fans without the World Cup trophy.
Savea was reliving the final during the flight home. “Playing the game in your head, which is normal after losing a really big game,” he said. “It’s going to hurt for a while.”
Ian Foster, who bowed out after four years as All Blacks head coach, said he was “very proud” of their run to the final.
The 58-year-old declined to comment on whether he was interested in the Australia coaching job, which was left vacant following the resignation of Eddie Jones earlier this week.
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