Gregor Paul: The enormous task facing new All Blacks captain Ardie Savea

OPINION:

There will come a point later this week when Ardie Savea has a moment of realisation about the enormity of the job he has taken on as All Blacks captain.

He'll have this moment because everyone who has ever been named captain of the All Blacks does.

Back in 1974, the day after Andy Leslie was named captain, it all hit him as he was having his breakfast, which he promptly brought back up.

Justin Marshall was so shocked when he was asked to captain the team in 1997 that he almost tried to talk coach John Hart out of it. In the end, he accepted the job, but was almost grateful that his captaincy was confirmed only hours before kick-off when long-serving skipper Sean Fitzpatrick failed his fitness test.

Being named All Blacks captain is a huge jolt to the system. It's a scramble to process an incredible range of emotions and understand precisely what it is that the job entails.

But Savea needn't get bogged down in over-thinking what lies ahead. If and when his moment of panic comes to him later this week, he can get through it by remembering that it's the way he plays and the form he brings that will define his leadership.

All those who have done the job say that whatever anxiety or stress they may have felt at times was best alleviated by simplifying the role to one specific task.

Ardie Savea is set to captain the All Blacks for the first time on Sunday. Photo / Getty

The best All Blacks captains have worked out that the best way to lead is through the way they play.

Be the best player and that will be enough to command respect and have everyone listening. It worked for Fitzpatrick. It worked for Richie McCaw and Kieran Read. And it worked for Sam Cane last year.

And this is arguably why the captaincy has been handed to Savea. He's an inclusive personality, generous with his time and capable of connecting with almost anyone in the team, irrespective of their age or background.

All that helps in the modern age where there is an expectation that everyone will be valued, heard and respected whether they have played one test or 100.

But what mattered more is that Savea was unquestionably the All Blacks' best player from late 2018 and throughout 2019.

Now that he has recovered from injury and with Aaron Smith staying in New Zealand to have a baby, Savea probably ranks once again as the All Blacks' best player.

From never quite being able to find himself in test rugby between 2016 and the first half of 2018, Savea suddenly blossomed when he was given an extended run in the No 7 jersey.

His potential has long been obvious, but it took until late 2018 for it to be converted into performances that had everyone taking notice.

Cane had broken his neck and regular game time transformed Savea into a world-class openside. He blew away all the doubts which existed about his core game – showing he was physical enough to stay on his feet and pinch crucial turnover ball and that his leg drive had morphed into the most compelling single action in global rugby.

Ardie Savea. Photo / Photosport

At 103kg Savea shouldn't be able to run through men 20kg heavier and yet he does, miraculously pumping thighs that don't necessarily look equipped to generate the phenomenal power which they do.

Savea, at his best, is genuinely inspirational and while he's a capable No 8 and relatively at home in that berth, there is no doubt his natural home is openside.

And it is possible, probable even, that he will feature in the No 7 jersey this Sunday so he can play his natural game – follow his instincts entirely.

At openside he'll be that little bit more dynamic and certain as it's a role he doesn't have to think about. When Savea wears seven, he turns up in all the right places and plays with the sort of energy, commitment and innovation that a nation has come to expect from their All Blacks openside.

Just as important is that while he's talented enough to play across the loose forwards, he feels best about himself when he has No 7 on his back, and keeping him comfortable and confident is vital given the burden he will carry with the captaincy.

Just to prove how strong the link is between form and leadership - Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick have been named as Savea's deputies.

This is not just because of their experience and standing, but because when they are both at peak form, they are respectively the best first-five and best lock forward in the world game.