'No roof' to Savea ability for ex-All Black Kaino before France Tests / Photo: PHIL WALTER - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
'No roof' to Savea ability for ex-All Black Kaino before France Tests
Former New Zealand back-rower Jerome Kaino said there is "no roof" to abrasive No 8 Ardie Savea's ability before Saturday's first Test against a depleted France in Dunedin.
Savea has been at his ball-carrying best this season after leading Moana Pasifika to a record high finish of seventh place in Super Rugby Pacific.
Despite his impressive form, the 31-year-old missed out on the All Blacks captaincy with head coach Scott Robertson keeping Crusaders lock Scott Barrett in the role.
"He doesn't have a roof, he's that good," Kaino told AFP.
"He's always looking to improve. His skill set is amazing," the 81-time All Black added.
Savea made his Test debut in 2016 as a substitute with Kaino already on the field.
Wellington-born back-rower Savea was named World Rugby player of the year in 2023 before continuing that form last year scoring four tries in 13 Tests.
"When you've got a mindset and you've got a skill set like that, I don't think you have boundaries of what you're capable of," Toulouse assistant coach Kaino said
"I think he still can get better, even though he's world class at the moment," the 42-year-old added.
- 'Unleash' France talent -
Savea announced earlier this month he will return to Japan to play for Kobelco Kobe Steelers next season underlining his status as one of world rugby's most in-demand talents.
In 2018 he had agreed in principle to join French club Pau before choosing to stay in New Zealand for family reasons.
The deal in Japan has not stopped Kaino from selling a possible future move to France for Savea.
"Well, I do send him the old cheeky WhatsApp and give him a little bit of a wink," Kaino jokingly said.
"I'll be saying that he'd be pretty expensive to try and sell over here. He'd do amazing."
Savea is set to have a big influence on the upcoming three Tests against Les Bleus, who have sent a second-string squad to face the All Blacks.
Only four of the 23 from France's Six-Nations-winning side in March have flown to New Zealand with the likes of No 8 Gregory Alldritt and full-back Thomas Ramos rested.
Kaino knows the landscape of French rugby well having joined Top 14 giants Toulouse in 2018 before becoming their assistant coach after his retirement from playing three years later with a league and Champions Cup double to boot.
"I think it'll be really exciting to be able to unleash some of the young talent that they've been able to breed over here," Kaino said.
"But I think leaving this summer weather and heading to cold New Zealand where they'll probably be at full strength, I think it'll be a tough tour," he added.
Galthie has 21 uncapped players in his squad including abrasive flanker Alexandre Fischer, quick-footed winger Tom Spring and 24-year-old prop Paul Mallez.
Mallez has spent two seasons on loan at second-tier Aix-en-Provence from Toulouse, having worked closely under Kaino at Stade Ernest-Wallon.
"He's evolved a lot and he's excelled in his time away at Aix and he put in some amazing performances," Kaino said.
"He definitely deserves his crack at the next level and I'm really proud of the way he's been going.
"I ran into him a couple of weeks ago and he's obviously really hungry to just dive straight back in after only about a week and a half of holiday," Kaino added.
M.Portelli--JdM
