Ardie Savea makes his feelings clear on England youngster Henry Pollock

When TNT Sports showed All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea footage of the young England back-rower tearing up the pitch, the New Zealand powerhouse was instantly impressed.

“He is the real deal. I love his energy, love his edge, and love how he plays. He’s just a baller,” Savea told TNT Sports.

Coming from a player of Savea’s standing, that is about as big a compliment as Pollock could receive.

The respect appears to go beyond words, too.

Pollock has since been pictured spending time with Savea, fellow All Blacks star Rieko Ioane and rising New Zealand powerhouse Wallace Sititi during downtime from international duty.

For a young player still establishing himself at the highest level, being welcomed into that company speaks volumes.

Savea has spent years at the very top of the international game, while Ioane and Sititi are also among New Zealand’s biggest names.

The fact they clearly rate Pollock as both a player and a personality is perhaps the ultimate sign of respect.

He is no longer simply a talented youngster with huge potential. The biggest names in world rugby are already treating him like one of their own.

the British & Irish Lions, the young back-rower’s profile continues to rise both on and off the pitch.

His rankings, produced with Premier Sports, mixed modern stars with all-time greats — and plenty of fans were left talking.

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