Reputed English rugby commentator Stuart Barnes has launched a scathing salvo on All Blacks captain Sam Cane.
The former England international has labelled the flanker a "liability" after the first-test win over Ireland last weekend, insisting he isn't worthy of wearing the famous black No.7 jersey.
"[Cane] may be a fine leader of rugby players, but he is not good enough to play for the All Blacks," wrote Barnes in The Times UK.
He claims "one of the best back rowers in the world" Ardie Savea would be a much better option at openside flanker than Cane, whom he believes is little more than an industrious toiler, pointing to his missed tackle on Garry Ringrose for Ireland's second try at Eden Park.
The Hurricanes No.8 was the star performer in last weekend's 42-19 win, scoring a brace of tries in a man-of-the-match performance.
"Yes, Cane works hard," Barnes wrote. "He makes his share of tackles, but none of them are destructive.
"They are the sort of tackles that, frankly, any professional openside should make.
"Savea, when he makes them, hits harder. He shifts the gainline.
"He also has a fabulous pair of hands. His acceleration into the air at lineouts, combined with those soft hands, is a key part of the All Blacks set-piece.
"Savea, 28, would not have missed that tackle. He mostly turns defence into aggressive attack with the dynamism of his work in the tight and the tackle.
"In contrast, Cane, 30, doesn’t shift a ruck, nor does he pressurise the ball-carrier with the sort of breathtaking hit he himself suffered at the shoulders of Ringrose earlier in the match."
Barnes, who played 10 times for England over a nine-year international career as first-five, points out the lack of power across the Irish loose forward trio, saying Cane "would struggle to compete" against the likes of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.
He adds All Blacks coach Ian Foster needs to act quickly, if he's to find the correct back-row combination for next year's World Cup in France - one that doesn't feature the Chiefs co-captain.
"On the evidence of yesterday’s game, if New Zealand are to find their best back-row blend before next year’s World Cup, the hard call has to be made, with Cane relegated to the bench or jettisoned completely.
"Cane may be New Zealand’s unsung hero. The trouble is, there is simply not enough to sing about."
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