Citizen Cane to start?

Tearaway flank Sam Cane made an impact in his Test debut and now plans to take the next step and fight for a starting berth in the All Blacks.

The 20-year-old was drafted onto the bench for the second Test against Ireland following the injury to Victor Vito, and came on just after half-time when Kieran Read was forced to leave the field.

A few heavy head knocks have left Read in danger of missing the third and final Test of the series, which opens another space in the loose trio.

Cane is likely to be up against Chiefs teammate Liam Messam for a place alongside Richie McCaw and Adam Thomson in the back row, after Messam was added to the squad for the third Test.

The young flank is backing himself to win a place in the starting XV for the Test in his home town should Read be ruled out.

"I'll back myself with a start," Cane told Allblacks.com.

Cane is one of a group of promising young openside flanks in New Zealand, and has taken over the label of heir apparent to McCaw from Matt Todd with his selection ahead of the Crusaders openside.

He certainly looked at home in Test rugby, and explained that having senior figures McCaw & Co. on the field helped to keep him calm.

"I was really surprised," he said. "There was a lot of composure out there, those older fellas set that tone. I felt really comfortable out there and we just needed to get the ball down the right end."