The Southland Times

Savea’s awards snub perplexing

- Richard Knowler

Whether All Black Ardie Savea was excluded from World Rugby shortlist by a whisker, or a mile, is irrelevant.

All we need to know is this: Savea’s name was missing when the four finalists in the men’s 15s player of the year category were revealed yesterday. It’s a decision that can be charitably described as a botchup.

Last year’s winner France’s Antoine Dupont, South Africa’s Lukhanyo Am and Irishmen Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier have been nominated, with the winner to be revealed at the glitzy World Rugby awards ceremony in Monaco on November 21.

No All Blacks in this category? If you disregard No 8 Savea, fair enough. Not when it comes to the man himself, though.

The revelation that Savea has been ignored, perhaps unsurprisi­ngly, wasn’t well received by rugby fans in New Zealand, with many taking to social media to convey their displeasur­e.

Their arguments have merit. The decision to overlook Savea’s compelling performanc­es during a difficult year, on and off the park, for the All Blacks deserve to be challenged.

Put it this way; while the All Blacks were all over the shop earlier this year, Savea rarely deviated from the high standards he set for himself at the start of the internatio­nal calendar.

He has been an efficient lineout ball winner, remains one of the world’s best at hooking his body over the ball for turnovers, and his efficiency in the tackle can’t be faulted. As a ball carrier, few loose forwards can match Savea’s energy and power or ability to offload.

The sight of Savea using his powerful legs to thrash his way over the gain-line has been memorable, and a major asset to an All Blacks team that recovered from a terrible start to their year to win the Rugby Championsh­ip and retain the Bledisloe Cup.

The World Rugby panel, when considerin­g the player of the year, deliberate­s and selects the nominees based on who has performed to an ‘‘exceptiona­l’’ standard throughout the season.

Players, coaches, a panel of rugby media representa­tives and fans are invited to vote on the nominees, and the nine-strong panel, of which ex-All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and former Black Fern Melodie Robinson are members, will decide the winner.

Savea was a finalist in 2019, the last time an All Black was nominated, missing out to South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit. Du Toit, having starred for the Springboks when they won the World Cup in Japan, deserved the accolade. The All Black lost that race to a better player.

Now, three years later, Savea, having had more time to familiaris­e himself with the job at No 8 after switching to the role from openside flanker in 2019, has loaded his arsenal with more skills. When he gets near the ball, he gives opponents a fright – and they know to expect sore ribs if they ran the pill down his lane.

Which makes his exclusion from the top award all the more perplexing. He is undoubtedl­y a more destructiv­e player in 2022.

Perhaps the All Blacks’ form fluctuatio­ns this year have resulted in Savea being snubbed.

If that is the case, he’s been forced to pay a heavy price.

 ?? ?? Ardie Savea
Ardie Savea

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