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Ardie Savea Poses Formidable Challenge to England Ahead of July Test Series
As teams gear up for the July Test series, England has been issued a formidable challenge by New Zealand’s exceptional No 8, Ardie Savea. Fresh from a highly successful venture with Japan’s Rugby League One side, Kobe Steelers, Savea is poised to return to the All Blacks, potentially as their captain for the two high-stakes matches against England (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
Following South Africa’s second consecutive World Cup victory in 2023, Savea was named World Rugby’s men’s player of the year. Having narrowly missed out on the grandest stage, the 30-year-old conceded that the feeling still stings, but emphasised the necessity of moving forward and bettering himself for Kobe and future challenges (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
“The World Cup loss still hurts, but I know I need to look ahead and focus on being the best player I can be for Kobe and the All Blacks.”
His recent stint in Japan has proven to be a much-needed breath of fresh air for the undisputed best player in rugby union, as he reaped the benefits of joining a new team, exercising unknown factors that kept him on his toes. As the anticipated England series approaches, Savea is optimistic that his growth and adaptability in Japan will bolster his chances of All Blacks selection (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
Representing New Zealand’s top talent, Savea believes that the current selection policy should be revised considering the global rugby landscape. Inspired by the success of South Africa, who rely on players employed overseas to assemble a victorious Test side, Savea endorses a reconsideration of NZR’s rules (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
With similar debates unfolding in England, following several international players moving to France, Savea’s opinions resonate not just in his native country but across the rugby world (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
Selection Policy Changes on the Horizon?
New Zealand’s recently appointed coach, Scott Robertson, is said to be a proponent of policy change, hoping that NZR will keep an open mind regarding the current selection criteria (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024). England, under the guidance of Steve Borthwick, will eagerly face their former head coach, Eddie Jones, before tackling the All Blacks in the two-Test series hosted in Auckland and Dunedin (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
As England looks to build on their promising end to the Six Nations, Savea lauded their forward pack, emphasising the potent threats posed by Ireland and France (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024). The fly-half, Marcus Smith, received Savea’s high praise as well, implying that All Blacks must strategise to nullify Smith’s influence (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
Now, with both camps embracing a renewed sense of enthusiasm, Ardie Savea can’t wait to reunite with his familiar foes, New Zealand Rugby Union’s two-Test series on the horizon (BBC Rugby Union, 2 April 2024).
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