It may be more difficult to find a player to fill the No7 black jersey.
It was announced on Thursday Cane (29) will miss remainder of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season after sustaining a pectoral injury in the team's game against the Blues last Saturday.
Scans and specialist examination have revealed a tear in Cane’s right pectoral tendon, and he will undergo surgery next week. His expected recovery time is four to six months post-surgery, ruling him out of part of the All Blacks’ season as well.
It is disappointing for Cane, who had not started the season on fire. But few wearing a Chiefs jersey have.
With Cane almost certainly gone for the June internationals against Italy and Fiji, the obvious player to captain the All Blacks is Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock.
He seemed destined to take over from Kieran Read in 2020 but Cane got the nod in something of a surprise.
Cane played well last year in what was a rather underwhelming All Black season and he will be missed.
Many feel Ardie Savea would slot better at No7 and this is his natural position. But if he goes there, then who plays at No8?
Hoskins Sotutu perhaps? A tad green really and he is a long way from the finished product.
Cullen Grace is playing No8 for the Crusaders but test rugby is a different story and he has little experience playing there.
Akira Ioane? Sorry, simply too many questions at that top level to put the big Aucklander at No8.
Luke Jacobson has been playing well at No8 for the Chiefs and is a raw-boned, uncompromising forward which always suits the All Black style.
He could well be the solution but, and this is a big but, will he be there come June given his injury track record? Jacobson plays at that level which just invites injury.
Marino Mikaele-Tu’u was mentioned last year but the Highlanders No 8 is now well and truly in the dog box.
Maybe the best option is to simply leave Savea at No8 and look for another openside flanker.
Dalton Papalii has been a big bruiser for the Blues while Du’ Plessis Kirifi has looked good for the Hurricanes.
Most pundits would love Lachlan Boshier to get a chance but he has been injured and not sighted. Same with Dillon Hunt who has yet to take the field for the Blues because of concussion issues.
Whoever it is they will have to be on the ball.
It is a national pastime, joining criticising Sky TV and mass hysteria around whale strandings, to constantly bag rugby in the northern hemisphere.
But those critics may have to take a reality check.
The latest Six Nations competition has been high quality and there are some very good sides up there these days. The game between France and Wales was one of the best in a good while.
Obviously, Italy is not one of them and will be canon fodder when — and if — it heads south.
But sides like France, Wales, even Scotland and Ireland, are very good teams and will be more than a match for any side in black.
