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All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea is excited to join his team-mates on their Greatest Rivalry tour in South Africa and is raring to go after his recent break.
The 32-year-old revealed that he has “itchy feet” after watching the All Blacks’ tour opener against the Stormers, which the men in black won 38-21 in Cape Town last week.
When All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie announced his 44-man squad last month, he revealed that skipper and star back-row Savea will not be part of the group during the early part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour as he takes a long-overdue break after effectively playing rugby non-stop since January 2025.
Savea believes the two-week break did the trick and said he is now feeling mentally and physically refreshed.
“It’s been very important,” he told 1News at Auckland International Airport of his break, before flying out to Johannesburg. “You’ve heard that I’ve been going for 19 or 20 months of non-stop footy.
“Being at home, physically, is important. You’ve still got to do the mahi (work). But more so the mental refresh – being away from the game, being really present at home.
“Just being a dad, being a husband. Doing things around the house has been really refreshing.
“I got itchy feet watching the boys in the last game. I’m excited about getting stuck into it.”
Savea returned to New Zealand at the end of June, after helping Kobelco Kobe Steelers during their triumphant Japan Rugby League One and shone in all three of the All Blacks’ Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy and Ireland during July.
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While he spent plenty of time with his family during his break, Savea did stay fit by continuing with his usual training sessions and is relishing the challenge that awaits in South Africa.
“The body is good,” he said. “It’s a different beast going to Africa. You can do all the training you want, and the running, but nothing prepares you for the rugby, especially at Ellis Park.
“It’s different to Super Rugby. They love their maul, they love their set-piece. They love to run direct.
“It’s a physical battle. It’s good for us to be there and experience what South African rugby is all about.”
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Savea is aware that some critics have questioned whether it is appropriate for the All Blacks’ first choice skipper not to be part of the tour during its initial stages.
“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, and they just care – they care for the jersey,” he said. “I understand from a leadership point of view… but… before I’m the leader of the All Blacks, I’m the leader of my family.
“I’ve been given this time by the management and the team. For the critics – I understand it and know that they care. For me, that motivates me… I’ll prove them wrong with my actions.”
This article was originally published by Planet Rugby.
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