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'It's out of this world': Savea 'lost for words' after being named captain

Anton Lienert-Brown, Ardie Savea and Richie Mo'unga. (Photo by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport)

For new All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, 2021 has been a learning curve after first being handed the captaincy of his Hurricanes club and now the national side as Ian Foster’s side prepares to take on the Wallabies in Perth.

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Savea’s leadership style will be more action-driven as he soaks up the responsibility of leading the All Blacks for the first time when they run out onto Optus Stadium.

“I’ve just trusted my process and what I do, for me it’s all about leading on the field and leading with action,” Savea explained to the press following the announcement.

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“I’m a man of a few words, so as long as I know I can lead with action and do the talking on the field then that’s a huge step into leading well.

“I’m just blessed, this year has been a massive learning curve for me in terms of the leadership role with the Canes and then being here today, I’m just grateful and really excited for the journey ahead.”

A text from head coach Ian Foster put Savea in stress-mode, with the 27-year-old loose forward first thinking he had done something wrong and that he would be in trouble.

“I just got a text from Foz, I thought I was in trouble so I was stressing out trying to think ‘what have I done, what have I done’, searched the media see if I’ve done anything,” Savea said.

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“He just sat me down and explained to me. I was literally shaking, he told me and then the rest is history, just here right now.”

Savea will have his former Hurricanes teammate Beauden Barrett and returning Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick as dual vice-captains to lean on, something he is comfortable to do given how much experience they have.

“It’s amazing having those two lads right beside me, Guz [Retallick] brings a lot of experience and fire and Baz [Barrett] is just cool, calm, collected. He’s controlling our game over here,” Savea said.

“So it’s amazing to lean on them, I’m kinda new to this and sometimes doubt myself but I know it’s a calling for such a time. I’ll lean on them a lot and hopefully lean forward.”

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The newest All Blacks captain will join a short list of names of those who have lead the New Zealand rugby team, a job Savea called ‘a huge honour’ and ‘massive responsibility’ but for him personally, it was about inspiring the youth that anything can be possible.

“It’s a huge honour, it’s a massive responsibility, but I think of it as a bigger picture kind of thing for all those kids that are out there that don’t believe in themselves, that don’t have the luxury of living of where they are,” he said.

“For me, it’s about showing them that they can, and be that person.

“It’s huge. I haven’t processed it yet. I’m just still in awe, the team that you dream of as a kid and be able to lead, it’s amazing. I’m just lost for words.

Savea will become one of a hanful of captains with Pasifika heritage for the All Blacks, behind the likes of Tana Umaga, Mils Muliana, Keven Mealamu, Jerry Collins and Rodney So’oialo, a fact that brought immense reflection for Savea as he recalled his parents journey to move to New Zealand from Samoa.

“It is [a huge source of pride]. To be able to lead such a team, it’s out of this world when I think about it,” he explained.

“To be able to tell mum and dad, is huge. Two people that migrated from Samoa to create a better life for their kids, it’s pretty crazy. To be here, for them, it’s pretty special,” an emotional Savea explained.

Becoming an All Blacks captain never felt like a realistic goal for Savea, explaining that just being named in the team seemed like a goal that was hard to reach.

“To be honest, nah. For me, just to be named in the team was a goal that seemed so far away. But things happen for a reason so I’m just going to embrace it. I’m nervous but I’m excited.”

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H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

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