Ardie Savea details what success will look like for him as All Blacks captain

An admittedly nervous yet excited Ardie Savea was unveiled as All Blacks captain this week, sharing what the recognition means to him and what he hopes to achieve in the role.

The All Blacks centurion has served as vice-captain for the past few seasons and stepped in as captain on numerous occasions, but taking on the responsibility full-time is new. The fan-favourite to assume the role, Savea succeeds Scott Barrett as captain, with the Crusaders lock having led for two years under Scott Robertson.

With the squad coming together in Auckland on Wednesday, Savea’s tenure as leader commenced, and the 32-year-old had his first opportunity to embody the leadership he wants to bring to the team.

“I know I’ve had great leaders that have made me feel seen,” the softly spoken Savea responded when asked what lessons he’s taken from his time under previous All Blacks captains.

“They have connected with me, asked how my family is, just normal conversation, and leaders that lead through action. The leaders who have done that have been inspiring for me.”

Savea said that, in addition to leading by example, he hopes to help all members of the All Blacks environment, both on and off the field.

“I’ve always said it — I guess the sense from people over here (in the media), success is winning — but, for me, on a deeper level, it’s making sure we connect and build trust as people and as players.

“If I can walk off the field and someone can say I’ve helped them along the way, and made them better, that’s success for me as a human.”

Having captained the Kobelco Kobe Steelers to victory in the recently concluded Japan Rugby League One season, and Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes prior to that, Savea is no stranger to being the one his teammates look to. But he says the difference between captaining a franchise team and captaining the All Blacks is significant.

“I guess the biggest difference is the pressure and the responsibility. You’re not only representing the guys on the team, you’re representing the whole nation and every single Kiwi around the world. That can either burden you, or you can walk towards it and embrace it.

“I’m lucky I’ve got great people and great leaders within our team and coaches that we’re able to walk towards and embrace the challenge.”

Savea is just the second Pasifika captain of the All Blacks, following in the footsteps of now assistant coach Tana Umaga. His appointment was decided on by the first Pasifika head coach of the All Blacks, Dave Rennie. Savea said that being part of the first Pasifika coach-captain duo was “beautiful”, and he hoped to be a uniting force in the role.

“We represent our people, but we’re all Pacific, whether you’re brown, white, whatever. We’re all Pacific. We’re from the Pacific. The Pacific Ocean connects us all.

“I guess the next 17 months are about us — not only the team, but the country — coming together and trying to win.”