Family time keeps All Blacks captain Ardie Savea fresh

Ardie Savea's daughter stole the show at the All Blacks captain's run on Matariki in Wellington.

With media surrounding her, Kobe Savea, accompanied by former All Blacks first-five Lima Sopoaga, asked her dad what his favourite part about being captain was.

"Thanks, darling," Savea replied with a smile on his face.

"Just to be able to make an impact and lead by example for my children."

It was a light hearted moment ahead of what will be another test of the All Blacks and Savea when they take on Italy on Saturday night at a sold out Hnry Stadium in the capital.

Just back from Japan, Savea hasn't had a break from rugby in about 18 months and now that he's skipper it's unlikely he'll get a rest anytime soon.

He insists his body is in good nick despite the never ending season and said his family help keep him mentally fresh.

"Surprisingly, it's (the body) doing good. I think when my spirit's good, I'm good physically," Savea said.

"Being a dad, being a husband, it fills my spirit. I'm able to come out here and do what I love, so it's a blessing."

Savea said he hadn't had much time to reflect this Matariki, but it's on the agenda.

"I actually haven't, but I've got 48 hours to just sit still and just be appreciative of the special occasion in our country. It's awesome for us to be able to play a test match the day after and honour those in our county."

The All Blacks have never lost to Italy and are heavy favourites to keep that record intact. The visitors are also coming off a heavy defeat to Japan.

Savea said the All Blacks are preparing to face the best version of the Azzuri.

"We've looked across the Six Nations and the scores that they've produce and that just doesn't come. That's a testament to their side and what they're building.

"We understand that Italy today is not the same side we've probably faced many years ago. We understand the threats.

"I think any test match that the All Blacks play, it's tough, it's relentless, so it's going to be a challenge."

The All Blacks showed some promising signs on attack last week with some slick rugby leading to tries, but they also made plenty of mistakes and had some poor defensive lapses.

Savea said those are areas they want to improve against Italy.

"We want to bring the physicality and the dominance on our defence side," Savea said.

"In a perfect world, you want a 10 out of 10 performance, that's what we strive to get. But we know that doesn't happen, so all we can ask for is effort, the boys putting in hard efforts. Then just our skill accuracy and our physical dominance.

"Rugby's a simple game. If you get those few rocks sorted, you go a positive way of winning the game."

Savea said he'd been impressed by the pair in Super Rugby and said Segner, a fellow loose forward who is set to become the first German All Black, had been a joy to work with so far.

"I've been so impressed with Anton. He's come in hungry. He's like a sponge.

"He's always wanting to learn, get better, asking questions. He's had an awesome season so far this year, and if he does get the opportunity, I know it's going to be special for his family here in New Zealand and also in Germany."

The match kicks off on Saturday at 5:10pm.