Cane will become the 13th member of the All Blacks’ century club when he earns his 100th test cap in the second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Wellington.
He joins fellow loose forwards Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, front-rowers Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks, and backs Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Mils Muliaina in the club.
Some have expressed doubts over Cane’s place at the top level over the years but many will suggest the only qualification for the century club other than longevity is greatness.
Cane, 32, played a fairly straight bat yesterday when asked how he was feeling before his 100th test.
"It’s hard to put into words.
"You need a bit of luck along the way to get to 100. The first 50 sort of came reasonably quickly. The next 50, I’ve had to be patient because there have been a few road bumps.
"But it’s something that will be really nice to look back on in time."
Cane made his test debut against Ireland in Christchurch in 2012.
He has since been a semi-permanent member of the squad and was captain from 2020 to 2023.
A couple of serious injuries, and some examination of his performance and that of his team in recent years, have not dulled his love of being part of the All Blacks.
"Rugby’s a pretty good teacher of life and resilience. Ups and downs — you just have to pick yourself up and carry on.
"All those different challenges have tested my resilience at times, but I’ve been able to keep things in perspective, and I’m just really grateful for the opportunities rugby has given me.
"I feel lucky to be in this environment. It’s pretty infectious, and an awesome place to be."
Cane has started the All Blacks’ past three tests.
That run seemed unlikely at the start of the year as he had gone to Japan on a sabbatical and came back nursing a back injury that ruled him out of the first half of the international campaign.
He had also been usurped as All Blacks captain by Scott Barrett under new coach Scott Robertson.
"I suppose at the start of the year, there was a little bit of uncertainty around where my body was at and what the year ahead looked like with the changes from a coaching point of view.
"I just took the mindset that I’d do everything I could to get in good shape and give myself a chance of playing well, and from there I’d be grateful for any opportunity.
"I’ve managed to get a few more test matches under my belt, which has just been super special."
Cane has now signed a three-year deal with Japanese club Suntory.
That means this could be his 100th and final test, though he is available for the northern tour.
Cane said he had appreciated his family’s support over the years and he was looking forward to spending more time with his two sons when he embarked on his less hectic rugby life in Japan.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks have updated the injury status of a couple of backs in the squad.
Second five Jordie Barrett, who limped off the field in Sydney, has been scratched from the second Bledisloe Cup test with a medial collateral ligament injury.
He would be reassessed before the northern tour, a spokeswoman said.
Barrett’s absence will presumably mean Anton Lienert-Brown starts in the No 12 jersey at Eden Park.
Fringe squad member Ruben Love will have to wait a bit longer for his test debut as he remains sidelined with a quadriceps injury.
