Ardie Savea, the reigning world player of the year, says the All Blacks want to settle a few old scores when they meet England next week. The New Zealand No 8 has made clear the home side have not forgotten the “smack in the nose” they suffered in the semi-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and that they had to settle for a 25-25 draw in their most recent appearance at Twickenham.
Savea, back in a black jersey after a stint in Japan, has been impressed from afar by England’s progress since last autumn’s World Cup but suggests New Zealand will not lack for motivation when the two-Test series kicks off in Dunedin on Saturday week. “The last time we played them we drew so we’ve got a bit of history,” said Savea, passed over this week for the All Black captaincy in favour of Scott Barrett.
