As Ardie Savea is named the All Blacks captain, the question now is whether he will become a successful captain like Siya Kolisi?. However, his initiation video has since won fans’ hearts; they already believe that Ardie will lead the team to success.
Over the past few years, many All Blacks fans have vowed for Ardie to take over from Scott Barrett as the team captain. Now, with new coach Dave Rennie naming him captain, Savea indeed brings a lot more than just his game.
Off the pitch, he is a totally different character from the traditional captains that we have seen over the years. He loves to joke, sing and dance, being that open and free human being. That alone had proved to be a key trait in uniting the dressing room, as we have seen with the Springboks.
However, the Springboks are a team of the highest quality, and so are the All Blacks. Everything now rests in the hands of coach Dave Rennie and captain Ardie Savea to lead the team to success.
ARDIE SAVEA AND SIYA KOLISI COMPARISONS
Few players embody leadership quite like Siya Kolisi and Ardie Savea. Both are world-class back-row forwards whose influence extends far beyond their performances on the pitch. They lead by example, thrive under pressure, and inspire teammates through a relentless work ethic rather than loud words.
Kolisi transformed South African rugby by captaining the Springboks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, while also becoming a powerful symbol of unity in a country with a complex history. Savea, meanwhile, has earned universal respect as one of rugby’s most consistent performers, known for his humility, resilience and ability to deliver in the biggest moments.
As Savea prepares to lead the All Blacks, comparisons with Kolisi are inevitable. While replicating Kolisi’s trophy haul will be a daunting challenge, Savea possesses many of the same qualities that define great captains. His calm temperament, unwavering commitment and ability to lift those around him suggest he is more than capable of guiding New Zealand through a new era.
Whether he can emulate Kolisi’s success will ultimately depend on results. However, if leadership is measured by character, respect and the ability to unite a team behind a common purpose, Ardie Savea has already laid the foundation for a memorable captaincy.
ARDIE SAVES AND SIYA KOLISI’S FRIENDSHIP AWAY FROM RUGBY
Outside rugby, the two rival captains have shown how close they are to each other. Whenever they meet, they always make time for a small chat, a happy chat.
However, Siya and Savea are closer than an after-game chat; they visit each other at home. They get time to spend with each other’s families, showing how much their relationship goes beyond rugby. They are top-notch human beings.
Surely, Savea had been asking a few questions about leadership and how Siya managed to be one of the greatest captains of all time.