Despite a testing start to Ardie Savea's new life playing with protective goggles, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says the loose forward is sticking with eyewear.
Savea donned the goggles for the first time in the All Blacks' 63-0 win over Canada on Tuesday night but less than two minutes after entering the game off the bench, the 25-year-old was seen discarding them during play . He put them on again minutes later.
Hansen said there's no issues, though.
"He knows he can play without them until he can put them back on," Hansen said.
"But he found them pretty good to play in."
The All Blacks coach named Savea to start against Namibia on Sunday, meaning the loose forward will get plenty more time to get used to the new accessory in a playing environment.
"It's a brave thing that he's doing, I think," Hansen said.
"Hopefully it encourages other people with eyesight problems to do the same thing."
Savea opted for the goggles as a precautionary method after revealing his sight was deteriorating in his left eye on Tuesday.
In May this year, World Rugby approved the use of the goggles at all levels of rugby to allow those who are visually impaired to play the game.
SHARE ME