'I want to test myself': All Blacks star Ardie Savea reveals shock rugby league ambitions
Star All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea has revealed he is keen to make a shock code swap to rugby league before the end of his career.
Speaking on The Ice Project podcast, hosted by former rugby league international Isaac John, Savea said that he had been contemplating making a switch to the 13-man game as early as next year.
The 26-year-old, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury sustained during last year’s World Cup, is contracted to New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2021, but told the podcast that he was “low-key thinking about it (a code switch) for next year”.
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Savea cited former All Blacks teammate and new Toronto Wolfpack signing Sonny Bill Williams as a source of inspiration for such a move, which would send shockwaves across both rugby union and league worldwide.
“100 per cent I want to play rugby league, I think they (the players) do a lot more in terms of off the field stuff. And also, just a new challenge. I want to test myself,” Savea said.
“Learning a whole new game and seeing if I can dominate or, play the way I play in union, that excites me. Seeing guys like Sonny do it kind of plays on my mind a bit.”
The Hurricanes veteran ruled out a move to the New Zealand-based Warriors, however, as he admitted that if a move to the NRL came to fruition, he would likely only suit up for a powerhouse club, such as the Sydney Roosters or Melbourne Storm.
“Strategically I would want to got to a team that was dominating, like the Storm or Roosters,” he said.
“It sucks that I got this injury because I was low key thinking about it (switching to league) for next year.”
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Savea’s bombshell revelations comes after former Wallabies pivot Quade Cooper expressed a similar desire to make play rugby league on the same podcast in December.
At the age of 31, though, Cooper’s quest to play in the NRL appears less likely than that of Savea, who is still only 26 and at the peak of his powers, as evidenced by his World Rugby player of the year nomination in 2019.
While the implications of a move by Savea to rugby league would be felt on an enormous scale in both codes, the impact would be particularly damaging for the Hurricanes.
The Wellington-based franchise have already lost their key playmaker Beauden Barrett to the Blues and their head coach John Plumtree to the All Blacks.
Adding Savea to their departure list beyond next year would be an even more cruel blow for the one-time Super Rugby champions than for the All Blacks, who would still be able to call upon the services of Sam Cane at openside flanker.
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The eighth-placed Hurricanes are hopeful Savea will be available for selection by April, about two-to-three months earlier than first anticipated after he underwent knee surgery at the end of last year.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments