As if he didn’t already stand out enough on the rugby field, star All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea will wear protective goggles during the World Cup clash with Canada.
In a bid to protect his deteriorating eyesight, Savea will sport the World Rugby-approved eyewear in Wednesday’s match in Oita after trialling them at training.
The goggles were approved by the international body in May after extensive development, with a goal of making rugby more accessible to the visually impaired at all levels.
One of the world’s premier players, Savea said he realised vision in his left eye had become blurry a couple of years ago and it had slowly worsened.
Wary that damage to his other eye could affect his quality of life, he alerted All Blacks doctor Tony Page and the trialling of the eyewear began.
Savea felt self-conscious at first but had the full support of his teammates.
“In terms of vision and seeing, it’s pretty sweet, and it’s now just a matter of getting used to them,” Savea said.
“Obviously if my right eye goes, I might be potentially blind.
“I’ve got my little girl and hopefully future kids and a bigger family, so I want to be able to see.
“I’m just thinking of the bigger picture and trying to protect my eyes.”
Savea will become the second player to wear the goggles in a Test.
Dublin-born Italy five-eighth Ian McKinley, who is blind in one eye, debuted the goggles against Ireland in Dublin in August.
Savea plays in a more confrontational position and Page said it was important the goggles didn’t harm opponents or teammates.
“If you bashed into someone, would it scratch them? But it appears to be safe,” Page said.
“His visual field, the width of his vision, is unaffected.
“Those were the things they looked at in the trial.
“It’s great to see someone like Ardie putting it on and being proud of it.”
Savea hoped his action might inspire visually impaired youngsters take up the sport.