A forgettable 2011 with the Hurricanes left the outside back with an outside chance of staying in the All Black jersey.
He was thrown a lifeline with injuries to others, and was added to the All Black squad as medical cover for the next few weeks.
But the cards keep falling the wrong way for Jane (28) and on Saturday night, playing for Wellington against Taranaki in New Plymouth, he suffered a compound dislocation of his ring finger early in the second half.
He left the field, cursing his ill-fortune.
"The knuckle was sticking out the side of my finger but it didn't hurt, so I tried to make a couple more tackles. After that the doc came on. I started having a bit of a cry as he tried to put it back in, and then [he] said I had to go to hospital.
"It's just frustration. The bad luck continues. It has been a funny year, but the luck has got to change soon. I was just enjoying getting out there and playing for the Lions, as I never got to play for them last year."
Jane took a limited part in training yesterday and appears a doubtful starter for Friday night.
"The frustrating thing is with the guys coming back from injury the chances to show them what I can do at this level is slim. And now with this, they are a bit more slim."
Despite the rotten luck he still had faith in his ability.
"I'm confident. I know what I can do in the All Black jersey. You've got quality guys around you as well. If I get the nod or the chance I can do myself proud and make the All Blacks proud. But if I cant catch the ball then I can't go out there."
All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen said management had to be careful with Jane and make sure he was right.
"We know when he is right he is a pretty special player. But the worst thing we can do is panic," Hansen said.
He said the likes of Jane and Sitiveni Sivivatu had to get out and show their talent.
"We just want to see the form that they are capable of. The first thing is we want to see them believe in themselves."
