All Blacks Captain Sam Cane has announced his retirement from the international stage. 

From next year he’ll take up a three-year contract with Suntory in Japan, where he spent this season’s sabbatical.  

Elliott Smith, Newstalk ZB’s rugby commentator, told Mike Hosking that it isn’t quite the bombshell people are calling it, but it is still earlier than expected. 

He said that Cane was still in the mix to continue the captaincy after he led the team to the World Cup final last year. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

All Blacks Captain Sam Cane has announced his retirement from the international stage. 
From next year he’ll take up a three-year contract with Suntory in Japan, where he spent this season’s sabbatical.  
Elliott Smith, Newstalk ZB’s rugby commentator, told Mike Hosking that it isn’t quite the bombshell people are calling it, but it is still earlier than expected. 
He said that Cane was still in the mix to continue the captaincy after he led the team to the World Cup final last year. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition, hosted by Kate Hawkesby on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

Elliott Smith: ZB rugby commentator on Sam Cane's retirement from international rugby

Labour’s lead in the UK election is holding steady as the Tories deal with a scandal.

The party has admitted that their campaign head, Tony Lee, placed bets on the timing of the vote, allegedly just days before Sunak went public.

The BBC revealed that Tory candidate Laura Sanders, wife of Lee, is also being investigated by Britain’s Gambling Commission.

UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that it’s a huge scandal that these people have seemingly used insider information to infringe the UK’s betting laws.

LISTEN ABOVE

Labour’s lead in the UK election is holding steady as the Tories deal with a scandal. 
The party has admitted that their campaign head, Tony Lee, placed bets on the timing of the vote, allegedly just days before Sunak went public. 
The BBC revealed that Tory candidate Laura Sanders, wife of Lee, is also being investigated by Britain’s Gambling Commission. 
UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that it’s a huge scandal that these people have seemingly used insider information to infringe the UK’s betting laws. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Vincent McAviney: UK Correspondent on the betting scandal facing the Tories

New Zealand's officially out of a technical recession but may not be out of the woods.

Stats NZ figures show GDP rose 0.2% in the three months to March and the same amount for the year.

However, per capita GDP decreased by 0.3%.

Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking that the numbers are not looking promising for Q2.

He said that some of the important pieces of the business economy haven’t been doing as well —construction, non-food manufacturing, professional services— which doesn’t bode well for general economic momentum.

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand's officially out of a technical recession but may not be out of the woods. 
Stats NZ figures show GDP rose 0.2% in the three months to March and the same amount for the year. 
However, per capita GDP decreased by 0.3%. 
Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking that the numbers are not looking promising for Q2. 
He said that some of the important pieces of the business economy haven’t been doing as well —construction, non-food manufacturing, professional services— which doesn’t bode well for general economic momentum. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Chief Economist on the GDP increase and what it means for quarter 2

Tomorrow’s Super Rugby Final is set to be an intense match.

The Blues face off against the Chiefs at a sold-out Eden Park, kicking off just after 7pm. 

ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that the Chiefs have come out of nowhere in the last couple weeks.

The Blues were expected to face the Hurricanes in the finals, the Chiefs entering the playoffs sitting fourth on the table. 

He said they’ve stepped up not just one or two levels, but, to use a sporting cliché, they seem to have gone up and grown an extra leg, finding their feet and swept away the hurricanes on their home turf.

“It sets up an interesting final.”

LISTEN ABOVE

Tomorrow’s Super Rugby Final is set to be an intense match. 
The Blues face off against the Chiefs at a sold-out Eden Park, kicking off just after 7pm.  
ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that the Chiefs have come out of nowhere in the last couple weeks. 
The Blues were expected to face the Hurricanes in the finals, the Chiefs entering the playoffs sitting fourth on the table.  
He said they’ve stepped up not just one or two levels, but, to use a sporting cliché, they seem to have gone up and grown an extra leg, finding their feet and swept away the hurricanes on their home turf. 
“It sets up an interesting final.” 
LISTEN ABOVE

Elliott Smith: ZB rugby commentator on Sam Cane's retirement from international rugby

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips