Ardie Savea's dad says he's proud of son no matter RWC outcome

All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea has received international praise for his performance in the Rugby World Cup — a performance that’s seen him nominated for World Rugby’s Men’s Player of the Year.

One final test stands in his way: the final against South Africa, but whatever happens, those back home in Wellington are proud of the boy from Island Bay.

Oriental Rongotai Football Club premier head coach Mason Malagamaali'I told 1News he’s excited to see Savea and his teammates take to the field for the final today.

“Happy to see that Mr Consistency, a boy born and bred out of Oriental Rongotai, from the streets of Island Bay has persisted through and remained consistent in his performance and selection,” he said.

“To Ardie, Mālō le finau (way to persist/remain steadfast),

"Mālō le ta’alo (well done on your play).

"We look forward to watching you tomorrow and whatever the outcome, we know it's going to be a favourable one for New Zealand and we're looking forward to celebrating all your successes and all the best.”

Ardie’s dad, Masina Savea, is also excited about his son’s first Rugby World Cup final.

“Oh, I trust the boys, I trust my son. I told him, ‘You're going to win the World Cup’ before he left,” he said.

Masina was meant to be with Ardie’s mum and other family members in France for the World Cup, but had a heart attack a few months ago. His doctor cleared him for travel as their departure date drew closer, but he decided against it.

“I told my son before he left, ‘I'll make the call, I'll stay home’ so he doesn't have to worry about me every night so that's why I stay,” he said.

He’s kept in touch with Ardie throughout the competition.

“Before the quarterfinals, he rang me, and I said: ‘Oh, just do what you do best and everyone in the team do their job and then everything will be alright.’”

Masina's wife, Lina Savea, told him to take it easy and rest before she left for the trip, but during the quarter-final against Ireland, he started pacing in the lounge and got particularly excited watching Sam Whitelock’s play at the breakdown.

“I just jump at home.”

Lina called from France to check up on him.

The dad said: “I raise my voice, my wife never hear that from me and she said ‘Are you drunk?’ I said, “Yeah, drinking water.”

He’s got one piece of advice for the All Blacks ahead of their big game.

“No sin bin – you got to stay on the field with 15 players… if they do that, they’re not going to win the game… Even South Africa, they do the same thing, New Zealand will win.”

Masina said he started playing for the "Ories" club before he had any kids: "I was single!”

The wider Savea family is linked to the club too. Former All Black son Julian Savea, and later, Ardie who begged to join his brother’s team, started playing rugby at five.

Their parents used to take three buses to get the boys to their games and trainings in Miramar.

Masina recalls one time when he was finishing his night shift and heard Ardie’s game was cancelled on the radio. His son was so keen to play rugby, he took the buses to the field just to check. When Ardie found out the game was cancelled, the father said his son was so disappointed that he didn’t want to do anything at home for the rest of the day.

Savea said he’s proud of what his boys have achieved.

“I just keep it in myself, keep it quiet, I don’t let people know that I'm very happy.”

The Savea brothers still support the club when their schedules allow.

In June, Ardie got the call up from the Ories.

Club premier head coach Malagamaali'i said: “It was our old timers day and he said he was keen to have a run for the seconds so he can just play freely and do what he wants,”

“I didn't really allow it, I ambushed him when he came onto the field, and I sort of twisted his arm, so he played two halves - one for the second team and then he came off the bench for us against Pōneke so that was huge.”

“We were fortunate enough to have Julian turn out for us last year so it's awesome when they come back - it elevates the club, it certainly encourages our kids and the future generation."

The values instilled in Ardie are something he'll be holding close on the world stage.

Malagamaali'i said: “We have another saying, 'You take the O, wherever you go' so when you ‘take the O’, you take with it, its values, all our beliefs and of course, the history of the club which encompasses family and community."

Speaking to 1News on the eve of the final, Masina Savea wishes Ardie and the rest of the All Blacks good luck, as he says “do your best.”

“Even if they win or lose, I'm always proud of him… he's been playing alright, the whole team, this tournament so even if they lose or win… but I prefer them to win!”