‘They’re dogs’: Ardie Savea on the All Blacks’ new halves duo

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has shed light on the competitive nature of the team’s relatively new halves pairing, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love set to start their third straight Test together in a Nations Championship clash with Ireland.

Roigard and Love were incredibly influential as the Hurricanes stormed to a drought-breaking title in Super Rugby Pacific last month, before continuing their electric combination under new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie.

It was an unfortunate start for Love as the first choice All Blacks No. 10, who was shown a yellow card less than three minutes into the season opener against Les Bleus. But the first five-eighth bounced back, producing strong overall performances against France and Italy.

Love has scored 21 points across two matches to date, while Roigard has touched down for three tries already. Those two will again link up at the All Blacks’ fortress Eden Park on Saturday evening, lining up opposite Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast.

“They’ve been ready since the get-go,” Savea told reporters.

“I’ve had the privilege to be with them in their early days in the Hurricanes and they’re dogs; they just locked in. The competitive people I’ve met – they don’t show it, but when they start to get to work, you see it.

“They’ve been ready from the get [go].”

There’s been a headline-grabbing change to the forward pack, with the All Blacks naming Tupou Vaa’i at blindside flanker. Vaa’i has started multiple Tests in the backrow before, but is primarily a second rower for both club and country.

Germany-born Anton Segner drops out of the matchday 23, and so has Blues lock Sam Darry. Patrick Tuipulotu and Josh Lord will pack down as the two starting locks, while Vaa’i provides cover, with two loose forwards selected on the bench.

“He’s been awesome. Bit cheeky now and then off the field,” Savea said.

“I love that about Tupes, it’s when he’s comfortable and he’s got that cheeky smile on him. But he’s been awesome. He’s a leader for our team and he leads well.”

Ireland secured an unforgettable 2-1 series win when they last visited New Zealand four years ago, having not beaten the All Blacks on their turf before. But the New Zealanders have won the last three meetings on the trot, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Saint-Denis.

It’s been 10 years since Ireland claimed their first-ever win over the All Blacks, famously getting the job at Soldier Field in Chicago. This rivalry is right up there with the best in world rugby today, with fans anticipating another exciting instalment in a couple days’ time.

“The next All Blacks Test is the biggest Test and it just happens to be here,” he added.

“We haven’t really had to talk about it because we all know. We don’t fear it but it’s a great challenge for us to come here and play a quality Irish side and give the fans what they want.”