Ardi Savea enters into battle against the New Zealand Rugby Union!

New Zealand international third-rower Ardie Savea is currently playing in Japan under the Kobe Steelers colours.

This week the man named the 2023 FIFA World Player of the Year expressed his desire to see the rules around eligibility for selection for the New Zealand national team develop.

The latter particularly wants players playing in a foreign championship to be able to apply to join the All-Blacks team.

Technically, Ardi Savea cannot currently apply for the Lions as he plays in Japan.

This seemed to bother him as he decided to lead a fight to change the New Zealand Rugby Union regulations.

Indeed, unless he is surprised, he will not be able to take part in the Blacks' Test matches on the summer tour against England and Fiji.

Ardi Savea spoke. Extracts:

“Times are changing. Things are changing quickly. What was successful five, ten, fifteen years ago may not be successful today. We just have to be innovative and smart. And the country that has proven successful and helped is South Africa. The majority of their team was playing abroad and they came together And they won the World Cup.”

If the Blacks eligibility rule does not change, new New Zealand coach Scott Robertson will have to dispense the services of several players this summer including Brody Retallick, Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett and of course Ardie Savea.

Ardi Savea continues his argument. Extracts:

“I think it's good to play outside of New Zealand: I play against guys from South Africa, boys from the Pacific Islands who come from Tonga, Samoa, Japan and Australia. I'm up against different styles of players, different ways of playing. It's refreshing. Whereas in New Zealand, I only play against New Zealand teams.” Or Australian. »