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Ardie Savea All Blacks' 'most influential player' says Beauden Barrett

September 8, 2019

The flanker only enhanced his reputation after yesterday’s 92-7 victory over Tonga.

Ardie Savea has established himself as one of the All Blacks' most important players heading into this year's Rugby World Cup, according to star teammate Beauden Barrett.

Arguably the best player in Super Rugby this past season, Savea has taken hold of the All Blacks' number six jersey so far in 2019, despite worries he would have to settle for a role off the bench thanks to the seniority of Sam Cane.

Savea's impressive form continued in yesterday's 92-7 victory over Tonga in Hamilton, being a menace at the breakdown as well as showing electrifying pace out wide to score one of the All Blacks' 14 tries.

Asked about Savea's form by media today, teammate for club and country Barrett spoke about the incredible start to 2019, now heading into the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

"His work rate's immense," Barrett began.

"The influence he is on a rugby game when it comes to the breakdown, but then you see him run around wingers on the edges. He's probably our most influential player in terms of work rate that we have at the moment."

Savea's rise coincided with Cane's absence towards the end of 2018, suffering a broken neck in South Africa. That injury saw Savea finish the year as the All Blacks' first choice number seven, replicating his Super Rugby performances at Test level.

Barrett and his Hurricanes teammates though, not surprised to see what Savea is capable of after playing with him for so many years.

"We've known it for years, how good he is. I've been fortunate enough to see that as a teammate with the Canes.

"It's great that he's starting, we've been able to see him for the full 80 minutes, not 30 minutes off the bench. If that's the combination going forward, then that's great for us."

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