All Blacks captain Sam Cane has apologised on social media, after he was filmed kicking a pitch invader, after his team's emphatic Rugby Championship win over Argentina at Mendoza.
As the teams gathered for post-match presentations, the pitch invader made the mistake of running past the NZ huddle, with security in hot pursuit.
Social media footage has emerged of Cane taking matters into his own hands, connecting with a kick that sent the culprit flying, before regaining their feed and outpacing security to escape.
Within a couple of hours, the NZ skipper posted on Instagram, expressing his remorse.
"Tonight, after the game, I made an error in judgement, which was totally out of character for me," wrote Cane. "I am really sorry.
"I feel awful and am deeply disappointed in myself. I am trying really hard to make contact with the person involved to apologise for my actions and make things right."
Cane later amended his statement.
"Tonight, after the game, someone ran onto the pitch and I made an error in judgement and played a part in stopping him," he said. "I acknowledge this was not my role and it is out of character of me to act in such a way."
The incident has divided social media, with Cane's actions described as "genuinely thuggish" and calling for him to be dropped, while others condemn the pitch invader for venturing somewhere they shouldn't.
"More accurate than McKenzie's goalkicking," offered one tweeter.
Cane's actions have overshadowed the All Blacks' impressive onfield performance against the Pumas and will likely dominate the build-up to next week's showdown against South Africa at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.
