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12th November 2021
12:40pm GMT
Ardie Savea is tackled by Taine Basham during the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)[/caption]
"Whenever the opponent," he says, "I put pressure on myself to perform. When I put on the jersey, I have to perform for the jersey. And it doesn't matter what team I play. In terms of the city and the team to play, it's Italy in Rome. I'm looking forward to seeing that city, and all it's history."The All Blacks would go on to defeat a stout Italian side 47-9 but needed a late flurry of scores at the end of both halves to make that final scoreline look cosier than it was. Up next, a date with Ireland in Dublin. There is a sense of regret that facing Eddie Jones' England is not part of this year's itinerary. Not only do New Zealand want to test themselves against the best sides, there would be a chance to right some wrongs of their 2019 World Cup semi-final loss. "People always want to see that," says Savea. "It's disappointing that we can't, but it doesn't take away from the other Test matches we have, coming up. They're just as big." https://twitter.com/ardiesavea/status/1452050812364939265
"Yes, man, straight up! It was awesome. I didn't play in the game, but was coming into the stadium on the bus along this long, straight road, about 300 metres. There were all these cars parked up. I think they call it tail-gating in America. People were just having barbies, the people were all dressed up and having a good time. "It was like more than a rugby game - it was this massive event. Probably 70% of the people coming along may not have known exactly what was going on, but they came for the event, and to see the All Blacks. In New Zealand, especially, we could take a leaf out of that [book] and it'd be great at bringing more people along and into the stadiums. Make it a spectacle."For his final footy question to ponder, we shoot the prospect of a Club World Cup with the best sides from both hemispheres having a crack off each other for the title of world's best.
"That'd be awesome, mate," Savea replies. "We talk about wanting to be the best club in the world. There's no better way of finding that out. We have to have that game or competition. That'd be awesome when the Hurricanes win that Super Rugby comp. Then, who we play, I don't know. When Hurricanes vs. Munster is suggested, Savea breaks into a huge grin. "Yes, Munster! I'm up for that!"
"The teams always turn up, and step it up, against the ABs," Savea says. "It's going to be no different against Ireland. "In front of their home fans, it's going to be massive. It's exciting, mate. They will be frothing to play us, especially after the World Cup. They will be clamouring to get stuck into us. I think it's going to be a war. It's going to be awesome!"
What stands out clearer to Savea is the 2016 game against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. Joe Schmidt's side had beaten New Zealand 40-29 at Soldier Field, in Chicago, and the rematch came only a fortnight later in a febrile Dublin.
"That was my first year with the All Blacks," says Savea. "It was the first time in a while [19 matches] that the ABs had lost. It was serious. Those weeks leading into that Test match in Dublin, there was a bit of edge going into that. "It's never nice when you don't get the dub [win]. It's the same feeling we had when we lost to South Africa. We always pride ourselves of the honour, every time we put on the jersey, so it was a big one."Asked about coming up against a rising French team in Paris, Savea says the prospect is "exciting" but he refuses to read too much into it being a potential 2023 World Cup Final dress rehearsal. "I've just started watching the Top 14 and seeing all the French players. I've got a few mates that are playing in that competition so it's going to be massive. But I'm not even thinking one or two weeks ahead. We're on tour for 16 weeks and it's a long time to be away from home, so I'm trying to take it all week by week." On the INEOS Sports range, which the All Blacks have been using on their travels, Savea is enthusiastic. Given how the sporting world was put on ice for so long in 2020, the Wellington native is delighted that companies and sporting bodies are out there looking at solutions to get people training and playing safely again. "Yeah, man," he says, "that's massive. The partnership is perfect timing and it's a perfect fit. "To play sport and play rugby, we have to do all we can to try not catch Covid. Part of that is hygiene and us being extra careful. Each player has been given two hand sanitisers each and we sanitise, pretty much, all the time... When get off the plane, when we eat, all the time. We just have to be squeaky clean. "When we're in the gym, we have to clean our plates and the equipment down. It's not how it used to be, normal life. It's a perfect fit, coming together with INEOS and their product. Especially with Covid potentially being here for a while, our hygiene needs to be on-point."
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