Jeff Wilson weighs into Ardie Savea debate after All Blacks star’s lack of ‘impact’
All Blacks star Ardie Savea and former player Jeff Wilson.
Former All Black Jeff Wilson believes that Ardie Savea is not currently impacting the game in the way a traditional number eight should.
The 30-year-old was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2023 where he solely played at the base of the scrum.
However, he started his career at openside flanker and some observers want him to revert back to that position to accommodate the talented number eights that are waiting in the wings.
Number eight options
Blues star Hoskins Sotutu was initially favoured after impressing during the Super Rugby Pacific campaign but Chiefs youngster Wallace Sititi was chosen over him in the wider New Zealand squad.
Sititi has had to bide his time this year but was selected to start at blindside against the Springboks in Cape Town and was one of the All Blacks’ best performers.
Having proved himself capable of playing at the highest level, Sititi is in line for more caps but Wilson insists that it should be at number eight.
As a result, the 50-year-old, who suggested before the 2023 Rugby World Cup that Savea might be better suited to a bench role, would like to see Scott Robertson shift one of the world’s best to flanker.
“I think the biggest conversation is going to be about selection for the Bledisloe Cup,” he said on The Breakdown.
“Funnily enough, when you watch Ardie play, he’s been a workhorse but to me it’s not an impact as an eight, it’s more like a seven.
“There’s a high tackle count, he’s getting himself involved in the game. We know he fights hard and he competes.
“I talked before last year’s World Cup about how much impact he could make in multiple positions off the bench, but it’s about the role everyone plays.
“It’s the role the six plays and I don’t think Wallace Sititi’s a six. I think he’s a number eight; the type of explosive runner he is.
“I would be happy if Ardie had a Test at seven, I really would.”
Future
Wilson is also looking to next year with his selection due to Sam Cane’s decision to retire from international rugby at the end of 2024.
Cane has started the past two matches and is set to reach a century of caps, but the former wing believes that Savea can be the person to replace him in that slot looking towards the 2027 World Cup.
“I have no doubt about his (Savea’s) speed at the side of the scrum and his work at the breakdown,” he added. “Sam Cane has been very good but, let’s be honest, this is the end of it [for him], he’s not going to be playing for the All Blacks as he’s heading offshore.
“He will probably get to 100 Test matches and he will deserve that.”
READ MORE: All Blacks great: ‘2024 Bledisloe Cup will be the most crucial of Scott Robertson’s reign’
