Bernard Jackman’s verdict on Ardie Savea’s Leinster links as ‘bad vibes’ emanate from the All Blacks ‘for the last year’
All Blacks star Ardie Savea and former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman.
Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman does not buy into the Ardie Savea Leinster links despite the province being a financial heavyweight.
It has been reported that the All Blacks star could join the Dublin-based outfit before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
That would follow on from the likes of Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane, who have agreed short-term deals previously.
This comes after the New Zealand Herald claimed Savea is “seriously unhappy” about the current New Zealand set-up.
Trouble in the All Blacks environment
Players are allegedly dissatisfied with the All Blacks hierarchy, with head coach Scott Robertson and his assistant Scott Hansen coming under fire.
As a result, there are suggestions that the 32-year-old could either stay at his Japanese club, Kobelco Kobe Steelers, or leave for Europe.
Leinster was the only side mentioned by the Herald, but Jackman reckons that is more the work of Savea’s agent.
“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,” the ex-Leinster forward told the RTE Rugby podcast.
“I would say that’s more the agent flying the kite.
“But there’s lots of unrest in the All Blacks, it will be fascinating to see what they do or if they do anything because this hasn’t gone away.
“The bad vibes from camp have been there for the last year, and it will be fascinating to see what the NZRU do.”
All Blacks in crisis as Ardie Savea ‘seriously unhappy’ with finger pointed at Scott Robertson
Leo Cullen’s men do not lack for quality back-rows, and former Munster fly-half Jonny Holland believes that the Irish Rugby Football Union could intervene if Leinster try to tempt Savea to Dublin.
“They have their top four or five back-rows and I don’t think they need a back-row like Ardie Savea, but then again, everyone needs a back-row like Ardie Savea, he’s that good,” Holland said.
“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.
“How much do the IRFU have a say in these signings at the moment? Probably a lot, so I don’t know how that’s useful for Irish rugby.”
Why IRFU may reject it
Jackman agreed and reckons Leinster are not necessarily in the governing body’s good books at the moment over the Joey Carbery situation.
Carbery has been linked with Ulster, and there are suggestions that would have been the IRFU’s preferred destination, given their lack of fly-half depth, but the Dublin-based province, who have Sam Prendergast and Harry Byrne in their squad, have reportedly stolen a march and are close to agreeing a deal.
“Leinster won’t get any massive help from the IRFU short-term because of what they did with Joey Carbery,” Jackman said.
“You can go and do what you want with certain things, but it may come back to cost you a little bit later when you need a bit of a favour, and a little bit of backing.”
