Coach gives Savea thumbs up
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland rates Ardie Savea ‘‘a good chance’’ of making his rugby comeback against the Blues on June 14, and believes No 8 is his most effective spot.
The dynamic loose forward hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury in the Rugby World Cup semifinal loss to England in Yokohama on October 26, before undergoing surgery and embarking on a lengthy recovery.
He was back at training with a grin at Wellington’s Rugby League Park yesterday as the Hurricanes reassembled for the first time post-lockdown with the four-week clock ticking to Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Had Covid-19 not brought sport to a halt, Savea would have likely returned by now. Still, Holland was cautiously optimistic about one of his star men as the Hurricanes ease their way back having not played since the 27-24 win over the Chiefs on March 13.
‘‘It’s a good chance [of Savea returning for June 14], although with Ards it’s not massively important that it happens if it’s not the absolute right thing to do,’’ Holland said.
‘‘He was due to be back by now if we didn’t have Covid, around the bye week which was a couple of weeks ago, but obviously he’s missed a lot of work in the meantime.
‘‘Like everyone, we’ve got four weeks, so we’ll take our time with him and in two weeks we’ll have a better idea about whether he’s ready to go. He had a smile on his face out there, and he was doing everything with the boys today.
‘‘We’ll tick it off day by day, week by week, and do the best thing by Ardie. If he doesn’t make it for game one I’m sure he won’t
Jason Holland Hurricanes coach
be far away.’’
Best known as a rampaging No 7, Savea’s last three appearances for the All Blacks were in three different loose forward jerseys.
Now with Sam Cane confirmed as All Blacks skipper, 26-year-old Savea looks set for more time at No 8 under new coach Ian Foster. And Holland concurs, with the impressive tearaway Du’Plessis Kirifi in his ranks too.
‘‘Personally I’m a big fan of Ardie as an eight. I think it suits his game, he can get his hands on the ball a lot more, being the massive carrier he is.
‘‘By the same token, with the way we approached the first part of the year with our nines and 10s, we want a bit of flexibility to start and finish games in a certain way. That’ll be no different with Ards and his ability to play eight and seven is going to be massive for us.’’
The Savea name was a popular topic at Holland’s Zoom conference, with former All Blacks wing and older brother Julian having returned from France.
Holland said they’d caught up, but for now there was no space in the Hurricanes squad.
‘‘I’ve had a quick chat to Jules as a mate and found out what he’s up to.
‘‘We’ll keep talking around that, but at the moment we’ve got no injuries so there’s no scope as far as I’m aware to pull players in. It’ll be interesting to have some conversations in the next few weeks and months.’’
Holland likened his players’ enthusiasm to when his children were young and they ‘‘went mad’’ outside in the sun after days of rain. ‘‘The boys were in great form and the banter was flowing. Everyone is just relieved and pretty grateful that we get an opportunity to come back and do what we love. It’s been a good day.’’
Day one was a debrief of the past two months and planning the way ahead to the Sunday afternoon opener in Auckland. Players had their temperatures taken and forwards and backs split up for separate weight sessions and did the ‘Bronco’ fitness test.
Week one would be medium intensity in terms of contact, Holland said, as the players come off two months without smashing into each other, essentially an offseason.
‘‘It’s a massive challenge to try and do your best by the players. But it’s been fun to try and figure out the best way to get the players in the best nick to play the Blues in four weeks time.
‘‘You’ve got to have an attitude, like the rest of the country at the moment, that whatever is thrown at you, you’ve got to find a way. That’s how we’re approaching life and footy.’’
‘‘It’s a good chance [of Ardie Savea returning for June 14], although with Ards it’s not massively important that it happens if it’s not the absolute right thing to do.’’