All eyes are on All Blacks sensation Ardie Savea as rumors swirl about his potential move to Leinster amidst reported dissatisfaction within the New Zealand setup. Bernard Jackman, a former Ireland hooker, casts doubt on these speculations, suggesting the story might be more about agent tactics than genuine interest. Meanwhile, the New Zealand camp is reportedly rife with discontent under the leadership of head coach Scott Robertson and his assistant Scott Hansen.
According to sources, Savea's unease has been brewing, with the New Zealand Herald describing him as “seriously unhappy” about the current team dynamics. This turmoil raises questions about his next move, with options possibly including staying with his Japanese team, Kobelco Kobe Steelers, or venturing to Europe, with Leinster being the only team specifically mentioned.
"Leinster have potentially found this model where they can go high profile for a short period of time and have Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane for the business end of the season,"
Jackman mentioned on the RTE Rugby podcast, implying that Savea’s link to Leinster might be overstated by his representatives.
The discontent in the All Blacks camp is not a new issue, with Jackman noting,
"The bad vibes from camp have been there for the last year, and it will be fascinating to see what the NZRU do."
The ongoing issues may prompt significant changes within the team's management and strategy as they approach the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Back in Dublin, the prospect of Savea joining Leinster is tantalizing, given the quality he would bring to the team. Jonny Holland, a former Munster fly-half, weighed in, acknowledging that while Leinster is well-stocked with talented back-rows, a player of Savea's caliber is always a welcome addition. "He’s world-class. If you’re in Leinster and there’s a possibility you can get someone like that, and you’ve got the money for him, you would obviously take him," Holland stated.
However, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) might have reservations, particularly given the recent controversy surrounding Joey Carbery's potential move from Leinster to Ulster. Jackman speculated that Leinster's autonomous decision-making could hinder their chances of receiving support from the IRFU in the future, especially in light of the Carbery situation. "Leinster won’t get any massive help from the IRFU short-term because of what they did with Joey Carbery," he noted, suggesting that past decisions could influence future cooperation.
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All eyes are on All Blacks sensation Ardie Savea as rumors swirl about his potential move to Leinster amidst reported dissatisfaction within the New Zealand setup. Bernard Jackman, a former Ireland hooker, casts doubt on these speculations, suggesting the story might be more about agent tactics than genuine interest. Meanwhile, the New Zealand camp is reportedly rife with discontent under the leadership of head coach Scott Robertson and his assistant Scott Hansen.
According to sources, Savea's unease has been brewing, with the New Zealand Herald describing him as “seriously unhappy” about the current team dynamics. This turmoil raises questions about his next move, with options possibly including staying with his Japanese team, Kobelco Kobe Steelers, or venturing to Europe, with Leinster being the only team specifically mentioned.
"Leinster have potentially found this model where they can go high profile for a short period of time and have Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane for the business end of the season,"
Jackman mentioned on the RTE Rugby podcast, implying that Savea’s link to Leinster might be overstated by his representatives.The discontent in the All Blacks camp is not a new issue, with Jackman noting,
"The bad vibes from camp have been there for the last year, and it will be fascinating to see what the NZRU do."
The ongoing issues may prompt significant changes within the team's management and strategy as they approach the 2027 Rugby World Cup.Back in Dublin, the prospect of Savea joining Leinster is tantalizing, given the quality he would bring to the team. Jonny Holland, a former Munster fly-half, weighed in, acknowledging that while Leinster is well-stocked with talented back-rows, a player of Savea's caliber is always a welcome addition. "He’s world-class. If you’re in Leinster and there’s a possibility you can get someone like that, and you’ve got the money for him, you would obviously take him," Holland stated.
However, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) might have reservations, particularly given the recent controversy surrounding Joey Carbery's potential move from Leinster to Ulster. Jackman speculated that Leinster's autonomous decision-making could hinder their chances of receiving support from the IRFU in the future, especially in light of the Carbery situation. "Leinster won’t get any massive help from the IRFU short-term because of what they did with Joey Carbery," he noted, suggesting that past decisions could influence future cooperation.