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'It's not an impact as an eight': Ex-All Blacks address Ardie Savea's form
By Ben Smith
Reigning World Player of the Year Ardie Savea has returned to the All Blacks following a season in Japan but hasnāt been able to return to the damaging form of the last two years yet.
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The star backrower produced a high work rate against the Springboks but hasnāt come up with the game-changing plays that has defined his form in the past.
Against South Africa in Cape Town he was on the wrong side of a couple of calls, taking out the halfback while on defence deep inside New Zealandās 22 and in the second half he was penalised on a ruck contest for not releasing first.
It was a fine line as the tackle had been completed by another player, but the calls are currently going against the 30-year-old. Similarly in Johannesburg, Savea had two penalties conceded and no turnovers won.
Ex-All Black Jeff Wilson suggested that currently Savea is playing more like an openside and with the emergence of Wallace Sititi, a backrow re-shuffle could be in order.
āFunnily enough when you watch Ardie play, and heās been a workhorse, but to me itās not an impact as an eight, itās more like a seven,ā Wilson explained to The Breakdown.
āHigh tackle count, you know heās getting himself involved in the game. We know he fights hard and he competes and he competes.
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āI talked about before last yearās Rugby World Cup, how much impact he could make in multiple positions off the bench.
āBut itās about the role everyone plays [together], and itās the role the No 6 plays. And I donāt think Wallace Sititi is a No 6. I think heās a No 8. I think the type of explosive runner he is, Iād be happy if Ardie had a test at seven. I really would, in terms of getting that balance.
āI have no doubt about his speed off the side of the scrum, his work at the breakdown.ā
Saveaās carry game has been less than his destructive best in 2024 with 16 metres from 13 carries in Cape Town and 14 metres from 15 carries in Johannesburg.
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The Springboks were able to nullify Saveaās powerful leg drive but they found it more difficult with Sititi, who finished with 30 metres from 16 carries.
With Sam Caneās retirement from Test rugby imminent, a move to No 7 for Savea could find the All Blacks best loose forward combination.
āSam Cane, though, has been very, very good. But Sam Cane, letās be honest, this is it. This is the end of it. By the end of this year, Sam Cane is not going to be playing for the All Blacks.
āHeās heading offshore. And, you know, heāll probably get to 100 Test matches, and heāll deserve that.
āIām just throwing out scenarios. Could Scott Barrett go to the blindside flanker if we havenāt found that blindside flank when Patrick Tuipulotu is fit? Tupou Vaaāi was really good.
āThis is the discussion Iām having around selection now, because I donāt think we are convinced, and sure, about what our best combination is, not just to start but to finish a match.ā
8. Sititi/Vaii
7. Ardie
6. Sititi/Vaii
Daltz off the bench
Move Savea into the ABs bomb squad. The Boks have Kwagga Smith and Marx in their bomb squad because they want to finish the game with their best forwards. The ABs must have Savea come on inthe last 30 minutes to close out the game.
7 Cane (when he retires Peter Lakai can take over)
6 Ethan Blackadder
8 Wallace Sititi
6 Blackadder
7 Ardie
8 Setiti
Blackadder not skillfull or fast enough
Nothing new. Many of us AB fans have been saying this for the last 3 yrs.
Sotutu
There have been so many posts here who have said much what Wilson is saying that maybe the Razor Gang will now regard it as a cave-in to pick Savea at 7, Sititi at 8 and Barrett at 6!
Lets try Vaii at 6 or 8. That would give us bulk, go forward and lineout options
The problem is that for every pro "SAVEA to 7" there is an anti Savea to 7. Personally I thought Sititi was exceptional at 6, and I dont see SB as a 6.
For the Aus games Id have Finau at 6, Savea at 7 and Sititi at 8. Give it a go before going to the NH.