Ardie Savea is a rugby player who has been recognized as the World Rugby Player of the Year. He recently mentioned that Wallace Sititi, a Test rookie, reminds him of himself, which is a huge compliment. Sititi made a name for himself with his first-ever start for the All Blacks against the world champions in Cape Town. Since then, he has been consistent in his performance and has proven to be one of New Zealand’s premier talents.
Sititi played at No. 8 for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, but his emergence at the international level playing on the blindside flank has been impressive. While his best position is still believed to be at No. 8, Savea currently holds that position. Savea mentioned that he and Sititi have become close throughout the international season and that Sititi has been inspiring his teammates with his calmness and levelheadedness.
Savea also mentioned that Sititi’s form has sparked debate about whether Savea should shift to the openside flank to accommodate the rookie at No. 8. Savea praised Sititi’s versatility and quality of play, saying that they both share a similar mindset of gratitude and quality in their play.
Reflecting on Sititi’s initial selection in the All Blacks squad, forwards coach Jason Ryan highlighted Savea’s influence on Sititi and praised Sititi’s leadership qualities and work ethic. Ryan mentioned that Sititi’s versatility and explosive line-out jumping ability complement Savea’s skill set, adding a lot of ball-carry power to the team’s pack.
As fans eagerly await the All Blacks’ clash with England, it will be interesting to see how Sititi and Savea will contribute to the team’s performance. Ryan believes that the two players complement each other well and push each other to improve through their hard work and competition in training sessions.
In conclusion, Sititi’s impressive performance at the international level and his partnership with Savea have been instrumental in enhancing the All Blacks’ forward pack. Their combination of skills and work ethic bode well for the team’s success on the field.