Ardie Savea, who made his Test debut in 2016 against Wales, has since become a stalwart for the All Blacks, appearing in over 100 matches in various positions in the back row. Despite recently captaining the team from the number eight spot in a tightly contested 34-32 victory over France, there's a brewing consensus that his talents might be better utilized elsewhere.
"He needs to touch the ball 10, 15 times a game"
Former Wallabies hooker Jeremy Paul ignited the debate by suggesting a positional switch for Savea. "Ardie Savea at seven. For me, personally, he needs to touch the ball 10, 15 times a game, like as in running... and every time I’ve seen him play seven, he gets his hands more on the ball," Paul explained. He questioned whether structural tactics in New Zealand rugby were influencing Savea's current role.
Read, who has 127 Test caps for New Zealand, echoed Paul's sentiments, emphasizing the dynamic impact Savea can have when playing closer to the ball. "We want Ardie having the impact that he does normally have around the ball, so what position allows him to be as close to the ball throughout the 80 minutes, and I think it is seven," Read stated. He noted that while Savea's performance at number eight was solid, his periods of inactivity were noticeable compared to his usual high-energy play.
"We will not win big events with the current way of playing"
Sir Graham Henry, another revered figure in All Blacks history, also chimed in with a candid critique following the narrow win over France, suggesting a need for strategic adjustments if the team is to succeed in major tournaments.
The discussion extends beyond mere positional changes, touching on broader tactical considerations within the team. It reflects a deep-seated desire to optimize one of rugby's most dynamic players, Ardie Savea, by placing him in a role where his influence can be maximized, thereby enhancing the team's overall performance.
The debate continues as fans and pundits alike ponder the best use of Savea's formidable skills, with future games likely to be a testing ground for any such strategic shifts.