After the inaugural defeat against the XV of France at the beginning of September (27-13), the number 8 with the silver fern had given up. “We lost a battle tonight, but we still have a war to win.” It’s going well. The warrior Savea awakened the “fighting spirit” of the New Zealanders by winning his titanic duel with the Irishman Caelan Doris during the legendary quarter snatched by the All-Blacks last Saturday at Stade France. The man with 79 caps sent an angry cry towards the public, largely supportive of the Irish cause.
As a boss. Since the international retirement of Kieran Read in 2009, the very pious Ardie Savea has been the captain of the third row of the triple world champions. A complete player, he has established himself as one of the best No. 8 in the world with Frenchman Grégory Alldritt. “I prayed a lot before the match,” he said after the game. I always do everything to be as ready as possible and then I let God do the rest.
Also read: Licensees, advertising impact… The elimination of the French XV, a bad deal for French rugby
Against Ireland, the Wellington native once again showed his power and gave himself a nice birthday present on his 30th birthday, with the man of the match trophy. Number 8 (1.90m, 104kg), covered 95 meters with ball in hand and 15 balls carried, scored a try and also made 14 tackles, including 2 offensive ones. He played a key role when the Irish came up against the New Zealand wall during the famous 37 phases of play at the very end of the match. “He had a big defensive game, he made some good tackles. And he scratched a few balls,” summed up his teammate Sam Whitelock admiringly after the quarter-final.
Very valuable in the fight on the ground, the big 8 also allowed himself to send a few balls to his feet to get his team out of the Irish pressure. Which made former South African flanker and 2007 world champion Bobby Skinstad say: “this is the best performance in history from a flanker.” Just that ! The modest Savea didn’t get excited: “It’s magnificent, I’m flattered. These words touch me, I don’t know what to say…”
Ardie follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Julian, 2015 world champion (78 caps and winger). His try in the 33rd minute looked like that of a winger, with a dive on the corner post, despite the return of James Lowe. “It’s instinct, that’s a bit like rugby,” he said. It’s because when I was little, I played 10 so that helped me. I was a fan of Joe Rokocoko and Ma’a Nonu.”
“Sam (Cane) and Ardie (Savea) were huge,” coach Ian Foster could praise during his post-match confidences. The Hurricanes player (jersey in which he has been playing since 2013, proof of his loyalty), and who will freelance for a few months in Japan, with the Kobe Steelers, after the World Cup, scored a try in his last two matches against to the Pumas. They are warned: this man is dangerous.
