However, after scoring 46 tries throughout a prolific international career with the All Blacks, a drastic dip in form between 2016 and 2018 saw Savea cut from the national side, and a move to one of the Top 14's most prestigious sides beckoned.
The 29-year-old has remained at Toulon ever since moving there ahead of the 2018-19 domestic season, becoming a mainstay at the club despite maintaining a tumultuous relationship with recently-departed club owner Mourad Boudjellal.
Although he has an affinity with both clubs at opposite ends of the globe, Savea revealed which competition he preferred playing in out of Super Rugby and the Top 14 in a light-hearted interview recently released on Toulon's official club website.
"I'd go Super Rugby, just because it's a smaller competition," Savea said when asked about his preference between the southern hemisphere's premier club tournament and Europe's most star-studded domestic league.
"The Top 14's definitely a long season, and the shorter the better."
When pressed further on his stance, Savea replied: "[It's] a little bit different, just because now you have to maintain all your players because it's a longer season, and just making sure that everyone's always ready to play.
"In Super Rugby, you don't have to count for that many injuries because the season's short."
This article first appeared on RugbyPass.com and is republished with permission
