Sam Cane

Cane looking forward to facing England loosies

Curry and Underhill, who England coach Eddie Jones has dubbed "The Kamikaze Kids", have been standouts in England's strong forward pack at the World Cup.

They got the better of Michael Hooper and the world class David Pocock in their quarter-final in Oita on Saturday to advance to the semi-finals for the first time in 12 years and face the All Blacks in Yokohama.

"Underhill and Curry have been pretty impressive," Cane said. "They've both got a huge appetite for hard work and have very good skill sets. They have been really impressive."

Cane says Chiefs wanted to prove critics wrong

Colin Cooper's side dug themselves out of a 0-4 hole at the start of the season and overcame the loss of key players to injury to book themselves a quarter-final against Argentina's Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

Cane said the New Zealanders had been written off at various stages during the season but managed to rally each time to stay in touch.

"There's been numerous times throughout the year when it was like 'the Chiefs are out of it', or 'they're pretty much done', or 'they're a slim mathematical hope'," he said.

Cane back from broken neck

Cane has been named in the reserves for the Chiefs super rugby match against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday night as both sides battle to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The 27-year-old Cane suffered a fracture in a vertebrae on the right side of the neck playing against the Springboks in Pretoria in October.

He wore a brace for three months after surgery and got the all clear to resume contact training early last month.

Emergency surgery found there was no nerve damage and a gradual rehabilitation culminated in a return to contact work last month.

Ngatai and Cane to captain Chiefs

Cane has shared the role with Aaron Cruden over the past two campaigns before the first-five departed for France last year.

Ngatai has captained both the Maori All Blacks and Taranaki under new Chiefs coach Colin Cooper, who had no hesitation in selecting the pair.

Cooper was not so enthusiastic, however, about discussing the potential signing of prodigy Etene Nanai-Seturo following his high-profile split with the Warriors NRL club.

Cane signs again

Cane, 25, is set to play his 50th test against Australia this weekend in Brisbane and has captained the All Blacks in two tests.

The deal means he will also remain with Super rugby side the Chiefs.

"Even though I've been in the All Blacks for five years now, there is still heaps more I want to achieve in the black jersey," said Cane.

"I'm in a leadership role with the All Blacks and the Chiefs and that's something I enjoy, and I want to contribute any way I can in helping lead and drive both those teams to succeed."

Chiefs lose Fa'auli for 4 weeks, Cane awaits clearance

Cane has been included in the 27-man squad to tour South Africa and Australia over the next three rounds however they won't be available for next weekend's match against the Stormers in Cape Town.

If cleared to tour, Cane will fly to South Africa on Thursday and begin preparing for the Chiefs' following match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The news was bleaker for prop Nepo Laulala who, like Cane, was forced from the field with a head knock suffered during the 28-12 defeat of the Bulls in Hamilton on Saturday.

Cane, Fekitoa cited

RNZ reports both players have been cited for dangerous tackles.

Cane stayed on the field after his incident in the 11th minute, which left Irish mid-fielder Robbie Henshaw unconscious, while Fekiota was yellow-carded for a head high tackle in the second half.

Cane is unavailable for this weekend's game against France after picking up a high ankle sprain in yesterday's game.

Fullback Ben Smith is also unavailable after breaking a finger.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu is returning home for personal reasons.

No replacements will be brought into the squad.