All Blacks forwards coach reckons Wallace Sititi could be the next Ardie Savea

Sititi's year began with a barnstorming Super Rugby Pacific season for the Chiefs where he dominated in the carry and racked up impressive post-contact metres in the competition.

It was not long before the 22-year-old's form was noticed by All Blacks management with Sititi making his debut against Fiji earlier this year before not only plugging an issue at blindside flank but excelling in the role during the Rugby Championship.

He was rewarded with a start in his preferred number eight position against Japan with Ardie Savea being rested and once again playing brilliantly. Needless to say, he has won over his forwards coach's approval.

"He caught our (the All Blacks coaches') eye in Super Rugby, sort of midway through. He'd also been pretty well known through an NZ under 20s campaign around his ball carry and his real point of difference, his defence," Ryan said.

"What we have been impressed by in the Test arena is just how natural he seems to be in the way he carries himself. He's got a lot of leadership qualities about him, to be fair, in his own little way. He works really hard with Ardie and the other loose forwards wanting to grow his game.

"Then there's the other side of it around his body and getting his conditioning right to Test level so that we can take him further. The sky's the limit really around Wally."

Speaking of working close with Savea, the reigning Men's World Rugby Player of the Year joined in on the praise for Sititi and his influence.

"He's been amazing coming into this environment, he's found what works for him and he's playing great footy and that's a testament to himself and his preparation and the levelheadedness, the calmness he has," Savea told media in London.

"Mate, he's inspiring his teammates around him and that's special."

There have been some calls to move Savea to the side of the scrum and Sititi to number eight but, wherever they play, the veteran sees himself in the Test rookie.

"I'm not too sure. Mate, with the way he's playing, he reminds me a bit of myself. He can play eight, seven or six, and be great at it â- not saying I'm great," Savea laughed.

"He's quality. I think Wally and myself, we've got the same mindset. We're pretty grateful, wherever we are. If we're starting then we're just grateful to be starting, that's been my career and Wally's the same.

"Mate, he can play eight and awesome, he can play six and be awesome, even at seven. Wherever he ends up I know that he'll be quality."

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