All Blacks legend can ‘sense’ that Ardie Savea debate will come to an end with key Scott Robertson call
All Blacks back-row duo Ardie Savea and Sam Cane, and former wing Jeff Wilson.
All Blacks great Jeff Wilson can “sense” that Scott Robertson is lining up a change of position for Ardie Savea ahead of the 2025 Test season.
New Zealand’s head coach has so far resisted calls to move the current World Rugby Player of the Year to openside, despite their issues at flanker.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup runners-up have so far struggled to find the correct balance in the loose forward combination.
Savea has been a consistent presence at number eight but Dalton Papali’i and Samipeni Finau, who started the year at flanker, barely had any game time in the Rugby Championship.
Short-term fix
They ended that tournament with Sam Cane and youngster Wallace Sititi in tandem, which created an effective partnership alongside Savea. However, it is only a short-term fix with Cane retiring from international duty at the end of 2024.
Some observers have questioned whether Robertson will take the former captain on tour to the northern hemisphere as the All Blacks look to find a long-term successor.
New Zealand-born ex-Ireland international Isaac Boss had his say on The Breakdown, insisting that Cane will be picked to go to Europe but that he will play more of an impact role off the bench.
Boss would therefore like to see Savea given a run at openside, particularly for their big games against England, Ireland and France in November.
“You’ve got five games and then with him (Cane) there, you can get some great development out of these other guys,” he said.
“I do think you take these other loose forwards like (Peter) Lakai, but I would bring him (Cane) off the bench more often than other people would – to give that opportunity (to others).
“I would put Ardie at seven, I like Ardie at seven, and I think he suits that. You can then bring in the other guys around six and eight.
“Sam would do that leadership role off the bench really well and he will support those guys through those England, Ireland and France Test matches.”
Considering the All Blacks’ improved performances with Cane in the side, Robertson may be reluctant to change that this year, but Wilson, who was on the same panel as Boss, made a significant prediction for 2025.
“I anticipate next year that Ardie Savea will be our starting number seven at Test match level, that’s the feeling I get, the sense I get,” he said.
“Even at the moment, he’s playing a little bit more like a seven. You watch him, his defence is really good, getting in over the ball again – I really like what he’s doing.”
The Cane debate
Wilson also agreed that Cane should be on that plane to Europe after an impressive end to the Rugby Championship which saw the flanker earn his 100th cap.
“Sam Cane, for me, on form he’s earned the right. I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t take him if he’s fit and able, and ready to go,” he said.
Wilson and Boss don’t dispute that Cane should be in Robertson’s squad but a big question is whether he should start and All Blacks centurion Mils Muliaina believes that he should.
“He’s a player there that warrants even starting,” Muliaina said. “No one’s stepped up in that mark but he’s in my squad for the end-of-year tour, that’s for sure.”
