Makos prop Kane Hames helped set up a try with his first touch as an All Black, against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday night. Photo: Twitter/All Blacks.

Kane Hames cherishes ABs dream coming true

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No one is getting their hand on Kane Hames’ first All Black jersey.

The Tasman Makos prop played 25 minutes off the bench in the 42-8 thrashing of the Wallabies on Saturday night. The 27-year-old says it was the culmination of a childhood dream.

However, five months ago when he had no contract and he was battling knee issues, his All Black destiny looked more like a pipe dream.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Hames says. “Running out was a moment I’ve thought about over and over since I was very young.

“It wouldn’t matter if I play  20, 30 or 40 games it would be hard to see me swapping any All Blacks jersey I put on, but certainly not my first.

The Chiefs front rower came on with the game in safe-keeping but showed his ball skills to move the ball on with his first touch to send Julian Savea barging over for a try.

“I don’t pass a lot, it’s not something that’s been part of how the Chiefs play, so it was nice to get a touch and I’m smart enough to know when to get the ball to the faster guys outside me.”

Kane says his fellow All Black front-rowers helped him acclimatise to the team culture.

Kane says he’s unsure if he got a true test match experience given the comfort of the scoreboard when he came on.

“I think the Aussies were down to a new midfield combination and new winger, and the forwards didn’t want anything to do with us because we were smoking them, so maybe next week will be a better gauge of test match rugby for me.”

The meteoric rise was so quick Kane didn’t have time to fly family over for the game.

He’ll now look for test cap No. 2 when the two teams do battle in Wellington on Saturday.