He's helped the All Blacks to retain the Rugby World Cup but that's only half the job done for Bay of Plenty loose forward Sam Cane.

Many wouldn't blame the 23-year-old, if he sat back and said: 'Job done”. But that's not the character of a man who was raised in the tough no-nonsense rural settlement of Reporoa and has reached the lofty heights of becoming and All Black.

In fact, he's admitted the job is only half done. And while many are already calling him the heir apparent to Richie McCaw, Sam isn't buying into the hype.

Like his predecessor, Sam doesn't take it for granted he will simply walking into Richie's position. That's what makes this quiet unassuming young man the guy who will one day carry the mantel of All Black captain.

Yes he's had had a little R‘n'R since bring the Rugby World Cup home.

'After the street parades I spent a week or two in Rarotonga, which was pretty nice just to put the feet up and enjoy that over there and get a bit of a tan to this pasty body.

'Then I came back and did a bit of fishing up in the Bay of Islands for four days and that was cool too.”

Although Sam will spend time with the family back home on the farm in Reporoa for Christmas.

He says next season's Super Rugby will be one of the most important ones of his career if he wants to make the open side spot on the All Blacks' scrum his.

'I've sat in the wings for the last four years. Now is the opportunity to have a good season next year. 'So I'll be putting all my energy into that.”