The right wing will lead the Lions for the first time, when they meet the mighty Canterbury at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Wellington wing Stu Wilson once captained the All Blacks on a tour to Britain, but typically skippers are found nearer to the action.
But with No.8, and regular captain, Brad Shields out with a knee injury, Lions coach Chris Gibbes has turned to the team's elder statesmen. The 27-year-old Savea's only played 26 games for Wellington, since his debut in 2010, but he's a man that all the players look up to.