Savea brothers relishing clash when Barbarians face All Blacks

Ardie Savea has warned brother Julian that their first rugby match against each other will be a "different story" from their family life.

Back-rower Savea will line up in New Zealand colours on Saturday at Twickenham against older brother Julian, who will turn out for the Barbarians.

Julian Savea has been challenged to respond to being dropped by the back-to-back world champions by starring against his compatriots this weekend.

But Ardie Savea will show no mercy for his brother's All Blacks exile in London.

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"I think it'll be the first time I'll be playing against him," Ardie said. "He'll be pretty excited to face the All Blacks, but I'm pretty excited too.

"I haven't heard too much from home yet, but I caught up with Jules on Wednesday, so he's pretty pumped.

"I didn't really ask him too much about his situation. I just knew by talking to him, about the things he's done this week.

"But at the same time we're ready as well. I said, 'We're brothers off the field but when we go up against each other it's a different story'.

"It's going to be strange coming up against Ardie," Julian added. "He beat me to playing with the Barbarians, too, so this will be cool.

"I am not expecting any sort of leniency. I'm just going to step him, go round that way!"

Asked how 27-year-old Julian has responded to being dropped by New Zealand, Ardie replied: "Just from observing him playing with the Wellington Lions, he took on that captaincy role and that's something new for him.

"He's enjoying playing footy again, he's running over guys again.

"He could have dropped a bit and had a sulk but he's fighting hard, working hard, and most of all he's having fun."