Protection.

All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea will wear rugby goggles in New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup clash against Canada tomorrow, after trialling them at All Blacks training this week.

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.

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.

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

“A couple of years ago I realised I had bad vision in my left eye.” Savea said

“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.”