In fitting fashion, the Chiefs' celebration of Sam Cane's All Blacks' captaincy news was as understated as the man himself, according to assistant coach Tabai Matson.
At the start of May, with no rugby being played, Cane was named as new coach Ian Foster's choice to lead the All Blacks as the side's new captain - preferred ahead of the likes of Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Dane Coles.
As the New Zealand Super Rugby sides returned to training on Monday, Cane did so as the captain of the All Blacks, as well as the captain of the Chiefs.
Speaking to media via Zoom this afternoon, assistant coach Matson detailed his side's reaction to Cane's ascension to the All Blacks' captaincy.
"There's nothing different about him, that's probably a sign of what a great man he is," Matson says.
"He got a round of applause, like any good Kiwi captain that's all he needs, a pat on the back and away he goes.
"Clearly it's something significant for our club. It's an amazing honour and probably shows the class of the man to be held in that regard in New Zealand.
"We're really, really proud of him. He's very understated as always. For those of us that run water on, he's a phenomenal on field captain.
"It's just rewards for delivering week in, week out for us. We're stoked for him."
However, Cane will have to wait until he can lead the All Blacks in a Test match, with the July internationals against Wales and Scotland postponed due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19.
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