Ardie Savea supports All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett as they prepare for England series
Ardie Savea was named the World Rugby player of the year in 2023
©PA
All Blacks star Ardie Savea said the newly appointed skipper Scott Barrett will receive his full support as they line up to face England in a two-game Test series.
Savea was a front runner for the captaincy role having led the side on few occasions last year including the start of 2023 Rugby World Cup when Sam Cane was injured.
Nevertheless, newly appointed head coach Scott Robertson has unveiled Barrett as the new captain having worked with him in Crusaders for close to seven years while Savea and Jordie Barrett were named vice captains.
“Not really,” he replied on asked about any disappointment on missing out on captaincy.
“I think all the noise was outside noise, it was everyone here [the media].
“It’s always a privilege being an All Black. [I’m] always beside Scooter.
“We’re going to do our best to make sure this team grows and gets better every week, every day.”
The 30-year-old also urged the All Blacks to "front up" against the powerful English forwards to prevent a repeat of their surprising defeat in 2019.
"We understand what they bring and if we don't match up or front up, it's going to be a long day," he told the reporters.
"That's what happened in 2019. We got smacked on the nose and couldn't recover.”
The two-game Test series will be played on 6th and 13th July in Dunedin and Auckland respectively. Following the two-game series against England, the All Blacks will be locking horns with Fiji at SnapDragon Stadium in San Diego on 20th July before they head to the Rugby Championship.
