Fresh from a dominant display against Wales, All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea denies feeling relieved of the burden of captaincy for the current northern tour.
Playing at No.8, Savea was in career-best form during the 54-16 triumph at Principality Stadium, devastating with ball in hand to assist on tries by TJ Perenara and Sevu Reece, that latter one of the tries of the season.
After serving as skipper through the Rugby Championship in Australia, he has slipped back into his more accustomed role in the northern hemisphere, with Sam Whitelock resuming the mantle he carried during the home series against Tonga, Fiji and the Wallabies.
But Savea insists relinquishing the captaincy has had no bearing on his form, one way or the other.
"It didn't take a toll on me," he says. "I loved it and embraced it.
"I felt like the boys were right behind me, so it was the same for me. A lot of people can say that it was a burden, but it wasn't.
"I love challenges and it was an honour to lead the boys."
To be fair, playing on the openside flank, Savea was the standout performer in his final outing as captain - the last-gasp loss to South Africa, where he score a classic All Blacks try, but lost his 100 percent winning leadership record.
"Last night, I think I just found something that, if you keep things simple in your mind, and just have fun and play, and back yourself and back the process through the week, you can play like that," he says.
Switching positions within the loose forward trio doesn't seem to affect Savea either, further enhancing the dilemma for selectors now faced with unprecedented depth across those three positions.
Battling back from a chest/shoulder injury, incumbent captain Sam Cane now faces stern opposition from Savea, Dalton Papalii and Ethan Blackadder for the No.7 jersey, while Savea must contest the No.8 spot with Luke Jacobson and Hoskins Sotutu.
"I pride myself on preparing well and making sure I can nail that role within the week, so I can just go play freely," says Savea.
"For me, it doesn't matter what position, I'm grateful if I'm playing and try to nail my week. Once I've done that, I'm just able to have a smile on my face and just jam.
"I felt that last night and I think I'll just go with that over the next couple of games, if I get the opportunity."
Against Wales, Savea led the team in running opportunities, amassing 72 metres with ball in hand to lead all forwards.
"[Assistant coach John Plumtree] mentioned to me to get my hands on the ball, if I can, and I just found myself in the right place at the right time. I just close my eyes, bite down on my mouthguard and if you can stop me, you stop me... I'm just going to fight through it."
Savea may find himself watching from the outside this week, as the All Blacks take on Italy in Rome, with Ireland and France beckoning beyond.
Join us at 2am Sunday for live updates of the All Blacks v Italy test
