To reach the heights of World Player of the Year, Ardie Savea’s mentality within the sport is equally as important to his on-field physicality. The All Blacks back rower is a fierce battler all around the park, but once full-time has been called he presents a calming demeanour, and a mindful mentality away from the pitch.
Mental health and sports psychology has never been as discussed than it is in the modern age. Year by year, more professional sides from across the sporting world enlist the help of industry professionals, to overcome the mental obstacles that stand between an athlete achieving their full potential. The likes of former England internationals Jonny Wilkinson and Jonny May have both previously discussed their mental struggles within the sport, as this area of the game spans across the entirety of rugby’s professionalism.
But for Ardie Savea, the Kobelco Steeler finds great comfort in being able to flick the switch and disconnect from rugby once he’s kicked off his boots for an evening of relaxation. You would not be blamed for expecting the pundits choice for ‘world’s best player’ to be a studious learner and nause of the game, akin to perhaps Owen Farrell or Johnny Sexton’s well publicised off-field homework. Nevertheless, when the day is done, Savea busies his mind with anything other than the oval-shaped ball. Speaking in a recent Japan Rugby League One organised press conference, Savea said;
“I’ve always been like that. I think, like to answer this, everyone’s different. And everyone, you know, has their way in how they try and be the best, I think just for me, yeah, I do what I need to do. I know what I need to do to try and be the best. Then part of that being the best is being away from the game.
“That allows me to be free in my mind, be clear, in my mind, when you’re free and clear mate, you just play instinctive rugby. I think that’s kind of how I’ve been operating at the moment. But yeah, I’ve always been like that. But I know other players are different, It’s just whatever works for the player.”
Savea recognised how it was time to “start over again”, after he finished his 10th Super Rugby season last June. Savea explained how he seeked a fresh challenge after a decade with the Hurricanes, and was taken aback by the customs of the Japanease rugby fans. In a change that has also helped the back-rower’s mental mindset, Savea explained how since arriving in the Far East, he has not encountered social media scathings on social media.
“I think the biggest, I say the biggest ‘re-freshener’ for me here is, like no disrespect to like the (New Zealand) fans and stuff and all that but over here mate, we Kobe lost three games in a row and the fans will turn up to our gates to our stadiums with the posters with the signs. They love us regardless, we win we lose we draw.
“Over in New Zealand, lose one game yeah, they’re (New Zealand fans) like ‘drop his a**‘, like, this and that. You talk about that mental health question, that’s real in New Zealand. Like, players without even knowing, I sometimes do it to this day and I’m experienced but, you just scroll through Facebook and you see an article on yourself and your tempted to not read the comments. You read the comments and it’s got ‘this guy sucks’ ‘drop his a**’, you know.
“Over here in Japan mate, none of that. The fans love you, the only pressure, the only demand that you put on yourself and that mental side, is the expectation within the team, your coach and yourself. You don’t have to deal with the other external factors, which is fine. That’s something that’s different to the rest of the world in Japan. The fans love you regardless of whether you win or lose.”
Keeping true to his mantra of switching off from rugby after a match or training session, Savea admitted to have not watched any of the 2024 Six Nations. Understandable when considering the time eight hour time zone difference between the UK and Japan, Savea has only caught glimpses of this Summer’s opponents England through social media clips.
More on his radar are the Springboks, whom Savea faced in his most recent outing for New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final. South Africa triumphed 12-11 in the Stade de France, with the narrow fixture ending a trio of matches between the Southern Hemisphere titans. It was a mixed bag of meetings between the two sides, as the All Blacks thumped South Africa 35-20 in the Rugby Championship, before the Springboks handed New Zealand their heaviest ever defeat (35-7) in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham.
Savea addressed the three matches from last year, and admitted the World Cup Final defeat still ‘stings’, as the All Blacks once again prepare to battle South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship, that spans August and September. The back-row explained how getting the opportunity for Rugby World Cup redemption is a motivating factor to continue his All Blacks career, as he aims to return to the black jersey fresh and ready to begin life in the Scott Robertson era.
“I guess, the Auckland one (2023 Rugby Championship) we pummelled South Africa, then before the World Cup, they pummelled us. Then we met in the final, and it was close.”
“It stings still a little bit, you know, not being able to win the World Cup. But you know, it’s something that I’ve kind of had to process and I think of, ‘what we could have done better’, ‘what if this happened’, but it’s done now.
“I think for myself personally, the only way to move on, is to do my best for Kobe and also look at the game against South Africa and reflect on the good, and I guess the negatives and the work-ons, that we can work and learn as a leader, and then hopefully use that to better myself here. And then obviously, better myself in the future, wherever that is, wherever that takes me.”
“I think South Africa is one of, if not one of the biggest rivals for us as an All Black. And yeah, we do miss playing South African teams in Super Rugby and playing two tests in South Africa it’s like a highlight, I guess in a player’s career for New Zealand, to be able to go to Africa and play in South Africa in front of the crowd against the Springboks.
“So yeah, it’ll be awesome to be able to make that team, be a part of that and come back to South Africa and play World champions. There will be a bit of sting in that too, it will be good.”
Despite being without Ardie Savea for the first time in 10 years, the Hurricanes have been off to a strong start in the 2024 Super Rugby campaign. At the time of speaking with the former ‘Canes captain, the Wellington side were five wins from five, and have since extended their perfect run of form to sixth consecutive wins. Sitting behind Auckland Blues with a game in hand, Savea discussed how he has been impressed by the young Hurricanes talents that are making a name for themselves in Super Rugby.
“To be honest, I’ve kind of just kind of kept away from New Zealand Rugby. I’ve just watched the Hurricanes boys and ‘Bus’, (Brother, Julian Savea) playing from Moana (Pasifika). But everything else I’ve just kind of just gotten away from New Zealand and just enjoying my time here in Japan. Refreshing up. So yeah, haven’t really followed much.”
“That’s it mate, ‘Canes baby! Going good bro, I don’t want to jinx it, man. But yeah, early days, but it’s awesome to see a lot of the boys that are played with just flourishing and shining the light. Like it’s, amazing to see. I don’t even know if there’ll be space for me to come back mate! The brothers are playing awesome. So yeah, I’m happy for the brothers. I’m happy for the franchise. It’s great to watch and great to see.”
Despite communicating from some near 6,000 miles away in Kobe, Savea’s energetic passion for his beloved Hurricanes radiated through the zoom call. With Samoan heritage, Savea was born in New Zealand, and is proud to represent both his Pacific Island roots and the iconic All Blacks jersey. A milestone move in the representation of Pacific Island people, was the launch of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame last November, that was established by legendary All Black and former Samoa coach Sir Michael Jones.
Savea was delighted to learn of the Hall of Fame’s creation, in what is an excellent platform to honour the best Pacific Islander talents. The ‘Jonah Lomu Memorial Award’, and the Seiuli Fiao’o Faamausili Award will receive the first recipients in due course, with Savea certainly in contention for a future spot in the Hall of Fame. Speaking on the importance of the Hall of Fame, and what it means to the recognition of the Pacific Island people, Savea said;
“I think it’s so hard to put into words mate, I think it’s very important. We need representation. You know, in the game and, that Hall of Fame thing I remember speaking to Michael Jones about it, it just warmed my heart mate, because it’s acknowledging our Pacific excellence. Which sometimes gets missed in the game, from board level to coaching, I feel like there needs to be more representation in New Zealand and in the world.
“So for that to happen around the in Dunedin was awesome. But you think of all the players that have rocked the world and rugby, they’re off Pacific Island descent. And the representation that we have doesn’t match that. So yeah, I think that it needs to be better. It needs to be more, but at the same time really grateful that we’re moving slowly and progressing in that space.”