Razor praises Savea for heroics in his 100th Test
REACTION: All Black coach Scott Robertson said Ardie Savea’s reputation as a player who “makes the big plays” was enhanced by his heroics in their 24-17 Rugby Championship win over South Africa on Saturday.
Back row great Savea was a standout in his 100th Test, capping his performance with a crucial ruck turnover to deny a Springboks attack 90 seconds from the end.
It was typical courage from the 31-year-old, who captain Scott Barrett described as New Zealand’s “spiritual leader”.
Robertson said he and the coaching staff were on their feet in the stands when Savea made his critical late steal.
“I was just so pleased,” Robertson said, adding: “He’s a person that makes big plays and he sums them up beautifully.
“It was his moment on the 100th.
“He’s a guy that’s so mentally tough, physically tough and just keeps getting up and he did reflect the Test match for us.”
Barrett said New Zealand were motivated to win the match for former world player of the year Savea, who can be rated among the best All Blacks players of the past decade since the retirement of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.
“I’m personally proud of the way the rest of the 23 guys fronted up for Ardie,” Barrett said.
“He’s a spiritual leader within our team. So we wanted to make that special.”
New Zealand scored two early tries and kept an error-prone South Africa at bay to win a rugged arm-wrestle and extend their unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 51 matches.
Slippery conditions meant the contest between the world’s two top-ranked sides never shone as a spectacle, but there was no shortage of physicality in front of a crowd of 48,000.
Savea said his side responded to intense public pressure in rugby-mad New Zealand after they suffered a first-ever loss to the Pumas in Argentina last month.
“It was a gutsy performance,” Savea said of the victory in Auckland.
“As a player you thrive on pressure and it makes you want to do better, and that’s what the people of this nation deserve.
“It’s Eden Park, it’s our home, but we shouldn’t wait until Eden Park to get up and put a performance in like that.”
The reigning two-time world champion Springboks were desperate to end New Zealand’s remarkable record at Eden Park, where the hosts haven’t lost since 1994.
Savea’s ruck turnover deep on defence elicited a roar from the home crowd and helped the All Blacks cling on to victory.
“I just had to stand up for the brothers,” said Savea.
“For me, I just try to anticipate things and do what the team needs me to do. It’s as simple as that.”
