All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has insisted that axed winger Julian Savea has nothing to prove to him, saying that he still has a future in the black jersey.
Savea, 27, has dropped out of All Blacks reckoning, with the likes of Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo preferred to the 54-Test winger.
Speaking to media ahead of his side's clash with the Barbarians, Hansen says that Savea isn't playing for his All Blacks future.
"I don't think it's a trial match for Julian," he said.
"We've got a plan for Julian: It's about getting him enjoying his rugby and getting in a good headspace about that."
Hansen was also quick to bring up Savea's record in the black jersey, seeing him close to eclipsing Doug Howlett as the All Blacks' greatest try scorer.
"He's been a very, very good Test player."
"You don't play that many unless you're a good player."
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