Ardie Savea addresses captaincy snub as All Blacks star blames ‘outside noise’ for heated battle

All Blacks star Ardie Savea insists that he will do everything in his power to support Scott Barrett after missing out on the captaincy.

The number eight, who was named World Rugby Player of the Year for 2023, was battling with the Crusaders lock for the honour of leading the side.

Barrett duly won the race, with Scott Robertson naming the second-row as skipper after announcing his 32-man squad on Monday.

Savea no doubt would have liked to have been handed the responsibility, but the back-rower admitted that he wasn’t as invested in the outcome as some might like to think.

With Sam Cane always likely to relinquish the captaincy, it left two clear frontrunners as an intense debate started until it was eventually settled earlier in the week.

Disappointment?

Asked whether he was especially dissatisfied at not getting the opportunity to lead the All Blacks, Savea responded: “Not really. I think all the noise was outside noise, it was everyone here [the media].

“It’s always a privilege being an All Black. [I’m] always beside Scooter. We’re going to do our best to make sure this team grows and gets better every week, every day.”

Barrett will lead New Zealand in their Test series against England with younger brother Jordie selected as vice captain alongside Savea, who remains a key part of the leadership group.

“I’ll lead in my own areas. It’s a massive congrats to Scooter, he’s the man,” the number eight added. “Me and Jordie will be right beside him in anything we can do to make this team better, and win games.

“For me, I’ll lead wherever the team needs me to lead. I just can’t wait to get stuck into it and try to win this series.”

All Blacks squad winners and losers as Scott Robertson makes ‘tight’ captaincy call and a ‘disgraceful’ decision up front

If fit, Savea is pretty much guaranteed to start in the opening match of the year, but there may be a debate as to whether it’s at openside or number eight due to the presence of a talented youngster.

Robertson has selected 21-year-old Wallace Sititi in the squad after he impressed for the Chiefs at the base of the scrum.

All Blacks surprise

Sititi saw off stiff competition from Hoskins Sotutu, who was the shock omission from the 32 after a stunning Super Rugby Pacific campaign at the title-winning Blues.

“You feel for many players that missed out,” Savea said when asked about those, such as Sotutu, who failed to make the cut.

“I’m sure it will be hard, but I’m sure those guys will bounce back and work hard and do what they can to play well in whatever games come.

“It’s a really tough team to make. A big congratulations to the new guys. It’s a blessing to be in this team, we’re very privileged.”

READ MORE: Scott Robertson: Rookie ‘picked himself’ as Hoskins Sotutu’s All Blacks snub explained