Savea embraces All Blacks captaincy with a vision that goes beyond winning

Ardie Savea has been named All Blacks captain, taking over from Scott Barrett as New Zealand’s rugby union squad gathered in Auckland this week. The 32-year-old flanker, a centurion who has deputised as captain on multiple occasions, now holds the role full-time for the first time in his career.

Savea is only the second Pasifika player to captain the All Blacks, following in the footsteps of Tana Umaga, who is now an assistant coach within the New Zealand setup. His appointment was made by head coach Dave Rennie, himself the first Pasifika head coach of the All Blacks — a combination Savea described as “beautiful”.

“I know I’ve had great leaders that have made me feel seen,” Savea said at his unveiling, reflecting on the captains he has played under. “They have connected with me, asked how my family is, just normal conversation, and leaders that lead through action. The leaders who have done that have been inspiring for me.”

While the expectation from outside the camp centres on results, Savea was candid about what the role means to him on a deeper level. “I’ve always said it — success is winning — but, for me, on a deeper level, it’s making sure we connect and build trust as people and as players. If I can walk off the field and someone can say I’ve helped them along the way, and made them better, that’s success for me as a human.”

Savea arrives in the role with considerable captaincy experience, having led Moana Pasifika, the Hurricanes, and most recently the Kobelco Kobe Steelers to the Japan Rugby League One title. Yet he acknowledges the scale of leading the All Blacks is categorically different.

“The biggest difference is the pressure and the responsibility. You’re not only representing the guys on the team, you’re representing the whole nation and every single Kiwi around the world. That can either burden you, or you can walk towards it and embrace it.”

With 17 months of his tenure mapped out ahead, Savea framed the challenge in terms that extend beyond the dressing room. “We represent our people, but we’re all Pacific, whether you’re brown, white, whatever. We’re all Pacific. The Pacific Ocean connects us all. The next 17 months are about us — not only the team, but the country — coming together and trying to win.”