All Blacks captain Sam Cane has made a successful return to rugby in a one-off appearance for King Country Rams in Saturday's Heartland Championship clash against Whanganui in Taupō.
Cane made it through the match unscathed and while it wasn't the result his team were hoping for - going down 48-13 to lose the Pinetree Log - the fans certainly weren't disappointed with the outcome.
The 29-year-old was lively on attack and a menace defensively, as he got his first taste of rugby since injuring his pectoral muscle back in March.
Subbed off at the 57th minute, Cane received a warm round of applause from a packed Owen Delany Park, having banked some valuable gametime, before he heads to the US to join the All Blacks squad next week.
"It was awesome to get back out there after six or so months off and just enjoy playing rugby again," Cane said post-game.
The Bay of Plenty Steamer said the experience had left him humbled, after witnessing first-hand the lengths some of his teammates go to in order to juggle work and rugby.
"There's guys here today who worked this morning and worked a full week," he noted. "The guys who are working big shifts for the love of the game, it's cool to see."
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