All Blacks star Ardie Savea to wear goggles in Canada clash

NZ Herald

All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea will wear rugby goggles in the team's next Rugby World Cup clash against Canada tomorrow, after trialling them during training this week.

The move comes after Savea discovered that the vision had deteriorated in his left eye and realised he had to protect his eyesight.

"A couple of years ago I realised I had bad vision in my left eye," said Savea. "Everything's kind of blurry. I told All Blacks doctor Tony Page that it was getting worse and now we're doing something about it.

"Doc notified me that World Rugby had some goggles that were approved and everyone has been really supportive. In terms of vision and seeing, it's pretty sweet, and it's now just a matter of getting used to them."

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. The approval came after extensive development and robust trialling of the eyewear.

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The type of goggles which Savea will wear have been approved by World Rugby and are designed to be safe for both the player wearing them and those coming into contact with the player. Savea follows in the footsteps of Italian player Ian McKinley who was the first international player to wear the goggles.

Page said Savea had worn the goggles at training in Beppu this week and they hadn't affected his ability to play the game at the highest level, and he was now ready to wear them in the test against Canada tomorrow.

"It's probably been the most challenging conditions that you can get (to test them). Humidity at up to 90 percent, 20 degrees (temperature) or so, and hard All Blacks training, and he's done pretty well. It's great to see someone like Ardie putting them on and being proud of it."

Savea said while he didn't see himself as a role model by wearing the goggles, he was aware of the potential impact of his decision, especially with visually impaired children.

"If by me wearing these inspires them to get some, and for them to try out the game of rugby, then it's a positive all round for our sport."

This article first appeared in nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

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