Ardie gets a starter’s chance
Ardie Savea and the All Blacks’ No 7 jersey have taken a while to find each other.
On Saturday night, when the All Blacks meet the Springboks at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, the 22-year-old will finally be rewarded with his first run-on test start after being listed at openside flanker in place of the injured Sam Cane.
The naming of Savea is the only change to the side that started the 57-22 rout of Argentina in Hamilton last Saturday night.
His elevation means Matt Todd has been recruited to sit in the reserves, while first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga replaces Aaron Cruden on the bench because the latter has a groin strain.
Given he only made his test
debut in June 11, when the Welsh met the All Blacks in Auckland, you could say Savea was fortunate to only have to wait three months for this opportunity.
However, it also needs to be noted that he was picked as an ‘‘apprentice’’ for the All Blacks’ northern tour in late 2013.
Although he never played, and his status as an addendum to the touring party was reinforced by the official team photograph which shows him wearing a suit and tie rather than his playing gear and boots, it was clear he was being groomed for the highest level. So, finally, he gets his chance. There were some suggestions that Todd, who has made three test appearances as a substitute since 2013, might be preferred to start because Savea wasn’t quite ready to make the adjustment as a starting player.
Had that happened, it would have almost been cruel; few could deny the athletic back rower, who will have the comfort of starting alongside big brother Julian, deserves this chance.
Joining the action as a substitute no doubt allows Savea to shine because opposition tacklers are starting to tire, but in his 108 minutes in five tests this year, and during the Hurricanes’ charge to their first Super Rugby title, he has displayed enough skill and accuracy to suggest that he won’t be exposed by a Springboks side that has lost its last two matches against Australia and Argentina.
It won’t only be the diehard supporters from Wellington, the city where Savea was born and raised, who be fixing their eyes on the man in the No 7 jersey.
There will be interest from around the country if he gets some early carries and can use his powerful leg drive to get in behind the Boks’ defensive line.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said his squad have been busy trying to rectify the issues that allowed Argentina to be so competitive for around 50 minutes at Waikato Stadium.