This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
October 1, 2019 - Ardie Savea, a loose forward for the All Blacks, will become the first player to wear goggles at a Rugby World Cup due to vision problems that have left him fearful of going blind.
Savea, a key player for the defending champions, revealed that the vision in his left eye was blurred and deteriorating, prompting him to seek medical attention.
"A couple of years ago I realised I had bad vision in my left eye. Everything's kind of blurry," Savea said. "I told All Blacks doctor Tony Page that it was getting worse and now we're doing something about it."
Savea will wear goggles approved by World Rugby, which were designed to be safe for both the wearer and those coming into contact with him. Italy's Ian McKinley, who is blind in one eye, was the first player to wear them at international level.
Savea said it was an easy decision to make when he realised that he could potentially lose his sight if his other eye was damaged.
"Obviously if this right eye goes then I'm maybe, potentially blind," Savea said. "I've got my little girl and hopefully future kids and a bigger family, so I want to be able to see."
Savea's teammates, including All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster and Wellington Hurricanes teammate Beauden Barrett, were unaware of his vision problems until recently.
"It sort of makes sense," Barrett said. "I've never thought of it until this point but I remember trainings and games and seeing him blinking a bit more than usual."
