Savea willing to play Razor's hybrid role

SPOTLIGHT: All Black loose forward Ardie Savea dismissed that a second-string France wouldn’t be competitive in Saturday’s opening Test in Dunedin.

France had left some experienced players at home, whilst also hit hard by injuries; however, Savea feels every team that plays the All Blacks turns up to play the game.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for them and their mindset to come here and try and beat us.”

The loose forward said it’s irrelevant who the All Blacks played – the jersey demanded they go out and uphold their standards.

He also said that after Moana Pasifika’s Super Rugby season, he didn’t realise how fatigued he was, but he is ready to go out and represent the famous black jersey.

“There was a bit of fatigue, but the heart was full, and when the heart and spirit are full, it takes over your body when you’re doing the things you love. So, it was nice to take a breath and relax.

“It’s nice to come back in here and get stuck into it. It’s easy for me to do that, I need to be at my best.”

Savea said he would be more than happy to take on a hybrid role if required by head coach Scott Robertson.

“I don’t have a say, I just play where Razor [coach Scott Robertson] wants me, or where I fit in best for the team.

“That’s where I play, and if that’s No.12 or outside centre, then I do my best.

“The loosies’ [loose forwards] roles are quite interchangeable now on the field. There’s no specific role, but I just enjoy playing with the guys.

“It’s not about you individually, it’s how you collectively work as a trio.

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The former World Rugby player of the year had heaps of praise for two of the potential All Black debutant flankers, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Christian Lio-Willie.

“I played with Dupes [Du’Plessis Kirifi] for a while at the Hurricanes, and he and Christian Lio-Willie have played awesomely, and they’re here for a reason.

“That’s because they have played outstandingly during Super Rugby.

“All Blacks is a different level, so it’s for us to get around each other and best prepare for this level.

“All we can do is our job within the week. It is about connecting and how fast we can know our job.”

Assistant coach Jason Holland said he wants his side to be able to play an attractive brand which allows the All Blacks to unlock the French defence.

“A lot of our language and the way we want to play is ingrained in the boys. So, we have been keeping it simple, making sure the boys are clear and can express themselves effectively.

“As coaches, we’re keen to put our mark on a team, but you’ve got to do that in layers as you go through 10 days ahead of the first Test.

“We want to play a fast style of rugby, with loosies on the edges, wings playing all over the field, whatever is hardest to defend. We want those guys to be able to pop up in different positions.”

“Our style won’t change massively. The fundamentals will be the same as last year.”

Holland praised the quality he saw of the French players in the Top 14 and said they were top-level performers and had a typical French approach.

“They love to play a style where they’re the cuff, and if you turn the ball over, they’re going to hurt you, and that doesn’t change whoever they put on the park.”

Inside centre Jordie Barrett returned fresh from Leinster’s United Rugby Championship title win against the Bulls and is ready to get stuck in for national duty.

“He’s in great nick. He’s done a great job, and how they’ve managed him, he’s come back energised and ready to go.”