No player has ever manhandled Tadhg Furlong like this
Ardie Savea was on fire against Ireland last Saturday at Eden Park, scoring two tries in his side's 42-19 victory.
But one thing that was perhaps more impressive than his brace, was the way he handled Ireland tighthead Tadhg Furlong in the second half. Not many people do that.
The Leinster prop charged into Savea and fellow back row Scott Barrett, and managed to shrug the flanker off him. However, Savea clung on, and despite the 120 kg forward wrestling and writhing, the All Blacks No8 was able to drag him backwards and to the ground.
This is a pretty good indicator that a team is up for it, and it must have sent alarm bells to Andy Farrell, who subbed Furlong off just seconds after the hit.
The pair are set to start tomorrow in Dunedin, so expect one almighty collision when they come across each other.
Take a look at Savea's tackle:
All Blacks Squad
1. George Bower (12)
2. Codie Taylor (67)
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (45)
4. Brodie Retallick (93)
5. Scott Barrett (49)
6. Dalton Papalii (13)
7. Sam Cane (78) Captain
8. Ardie Savea (60)
9. Aaron Smith (103)
10. Beauden Barrett (102)
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku (1)
12. Quinn Tupaea (8)
13. Rieko Ioane (48)
14. Sevu Reece (18)
15. Jordie Barrett (37)
Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (10)
17. Aidan Ross* (0)
18. Angus Ta’avao (21)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (41)
20. Pita Gus Sowakula (1)
21. Folau Fakatava* (0)
22. Richie Mo’unga (33)
23. Will Jordan (13)
* Denotes All Blacks debut
Ireland Squad
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 21 caps
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 4 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 43 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 58 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 13 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 106 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 18 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 44 caps
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 8 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 58 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 31 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 44 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 85 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 41 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 18 caps
Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 26 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 116 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 23 caps
19. Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena) 6 caps
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 28 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 97 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 33 caps
23. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 38 caps