As the Hurricanes’ season came to an end after losing to the Brumbies in Saturday night’s quarter-final, captain Ardie Savea will be turning his attention towards the upcoming All Blacks season.
The 28-year-old has been a stable figure within the national side in recent years, however, recent competition at the loose forward position has put his role in jeopardy.
While Savea is typically used as an impact player off the bench behind All Blacks captain Sam Cane, but with Dalton Papalii and Ethan Blackadder now also in the mix, SENZ rugby expert Justin Marshall has questioned where he fits in the side.
“The conundrum that we’re facing moving forward past Super Rugby and leading into this Irish series is where he fits in,” Marshall said on SENZ The Bunnings Trade Rugby Run.
“You know … do you say he doesn’t actually fit in the starting line-up because of the way we want to evolve and change the way we play, that he becomes an impact player?
“Is he, at the moment, the type of player that we want starting at No. 8, which is where he has been playing, and playing so well.
“He's been playing the house down at No. 8 for the Hurricanes, but the problematic part of this is … is that the future of how we want a No. 8? Of that size … yes, he’s got power … is he a lineout option? No. Off the back of the scrum … yes, he’s got power there and speed, but is he 115 clicks, and is that where we want to go?”
Savea has also played plenty of rugby in the openside position, however with captain Sam Cane typically covering that role, he has transitioned to a genuine No. 8.
Marshall believes injuries to some of his competitors may allow him to retain a spot in the side but concedes he is unsure which position that would be in.
“He always started playing his rugby as a genuine openside, you know … is he the type of forager and (does he) have the ball skills to be that openside flanker? Because the game has evolved,” he said.
“These are all very relevant questions but they’re hard questions to sort of throw out there for a player that is so inspirational and in such good form.
“But all I'm thinking about is our evolution, which we’ve been missing in the last year or two, where other sides are … you look at the back row that South Africa, England (and) France pick and they’re a different dynamic than what we’re used to seeing in the past.
“The fact that there are injuries in Ethan Blackadder and obviously Papalii as well and Sam Cane enters Ardie Savea into the mix, (but) the big part of my point I am trying to make here in a long-winded way is where is he in the mix?
“Is it at openside? Is it at No.8? It's going to be intriguing where they slot Ardie in.”
The All Blacks are set to name their squad for the upcoming Steinlager Series with Ireland on June 13, where Savea and many of his Super compatriots will learn their fate.