Former All Black Savea unharmed after car accident

Former All Black Julian Savea has walked away unharmed after falling asleep at the wheel and flipping his car in France.

Julian Savea's wife, Fatima Savea, has taken to Instagram giving a detailed account of the accident and to reassure those concerned of his safety.

"Tonight Julian fell asleep behind the wheels of his car and flipped his car. Thankfully he is safe and sound in bed with me now after being dropped home by the ambulance because silly me had her phone on silent and missed all the calls and texts," Fatima wrote on Instagram on Sunday (local time).

Fatima also wanted to reassure that alcohol was not involved in her husband's accident (Savea is eight months sober) after claiming the police had breath tested him at the scene and said that he is well known for falling asleep anywhere at any time.

"If you know Julian you'll know he falls asleep anywhere at any minute (A problem he's always had) so I'm thankful to god for bringing him home safely to Jude and I and for protecting him tonight.

"I can't stress to you enough how important it is not to drive while you're tired Julian was lucky tonight."

The 28-year-old former All Black and Hurricanes winger made his first start in the midfield for Toulon in the Top 14 rugby competition and had just sealed a 26 to 16 win over Perpignan when the crash happened.

Former All Black captain Jerry Collins and his partner Alana Madill died in a car crash in France on the A9 motorway near Montpelier in June 2015. Collins, who was 34 at the time of the accident, was in France playing for second-division side Racing Club Narbonne.