Best in the world? Ardie Savea edges closer to individual glory
Analysis: Now that the All Blacks have qualified for a record fifth World Cup final with a performance in their semi-final victory against Argentina high on their collective strength, one of the big talking points this week will centre on a few outstanding individuals.
It will be far from the minds of the players but several, including inspirational loose forward Ardie Savea, Jordie Barrett – a tower of strength in the midfield – electric wing Will Jordan, and maybe even livewire playmaker Richie Mo’unga have just put themselves firmly in the reckoning to be adjudged the best in the world.
The shortlist for the men's award will be released after tomorrow morning’s second semi-final between England and South Africa, but the reality is the prize will almost certainly go to one of the World Cup winners, although France captain Thierry Dusautoir bucked that trend in 2011 when many observers felt All Black Jerome Kaino deserved it.
Springboks flanker Pieter Steph du Toit was the winner in 2019 after his side dismantled England in the final in Japan, with Dan Carter winning four years earlier after the All Blacks similarly dominated Australia in the final at Twickenham.
Carter won the award three times, with former skipper Richie McCaw also winning three. Kieran Read, another former captain, is a previous winner, as is current players Brodie Retallick (2014) and Beauden Barrett, who won it back to back in 2016 and 2017.
Black Fern Ruahei Demant was recognised with the ultimate individual prize after leading her team to World Cup glory in New Zealand last year.
Others in line for the men’s award this year presumably include Boks wing Cheslin Kolbe but, depending on how next Sunday’s final goes, Savea must be the odds-on favourite for the ultimate individual recognition after being consistently excellent for so long it’s almost taken for granted that he will deliver one of the best performances in a Test.
Savea, 30, has had the added responsibility at this tournament of standing in for Sam Cane as captain too when his fellow loose forward was unavailable due to a back problem, but has set the standard in terms commitment and output.
He has the grit and determination of a loose forward and the ambition, pace and skillset of an outside back. It's a compelling package and he was once again to the fore in this morning's 44-6 victory.
The Hurricane will play a season in Japan after this tournament before returning to New Zealand next June, from which time he will be available for the All Blacks. His current contract expires at the end of 2025 and he is looming as a crucial part of Scott Robertson’s rebuilding job next year.
"I have never been in a World Cup final before," Savea said in the aftermath of his team’s 44-6 victory over the Pumas in Paris.
"I am extremely grateful but I am tired, knackered. I will enjoy tonight and reflect tomorrow and get back on it, and really enjoy and embrace the week that’s coming."
It will be a week of reflection and excitement after the lows of four years ago in Japan. It will also be the last time this side plays together, with several veterans – including Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor, Aaron Smith, and Retallick – moving on.
Nothing quite builds a side like success after adversity and the All Blacks have had more than their fair share of the latter over the past couple of years.
"We’ve been under the pump the last couple of years but we believed in each other and believe in our game," Savea said. "That has got us to this point. We don’t have to prove anything to the world."
A word, too, on Jordie Barrett, a 26-year-old who has grown considerably this tournament and left a trail of Argentine attackers physically and mentally broken this morning.
"I said to him last night I thought it was his best defensive game," assistant coach Scott McLeod said. "Last night when the Argentina boys went out the back a little bit he read that really well.
"He went forward and pressured and... took time and space away. I was rapt for him - you can sit and wait or you can go forward and pressure at the right moments and that's something we definitely want to take into next week."
Barrett had to work hard for his try in the first half but there was a sense of inevitability about him getting past a couple of would-be defenders wide on the right because of his size and strength; he is looming as a huge asset in that midfield for years to come.
"It's new territory for a lot of boys but there are also World Cup winners and World Cup finalists so we will call on their experience as much as we can," Barrett said afterwards.
"We are just going to enjoy the week as much as possible. It's special times."
