VIDEO: Savea's ugly gesture overshadows Hurricanes' win
REPORT: All Blacks forward Ardie Savea stole the show during the Hurricanes’ 39-33 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
Savea made an ugly gesture to a Rebels player in the Super Round in Melbourne, which could see him face further sanctions.
Richard Hardwick scored twice within seven minutes for Melbourne to trail by just a point but a 77th-minute try by Hurricanes ace Jordie Barrett sealed the win.
Savea was hero and villain, scoring two early tries and setting up another as the visitors roared to a 24-7 half-time lead.
The All Blacks weapon was given a yellow card for his involvement in an all-in brawl just before the break.
As he walked off, a fired-up Savea gestured to Melbourne scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens, prompting teammate Reece Hodge to complain to referee James Doleman, ‘he’s threatening to kill him’.
Ugly scenes here.
Not a good look from Ardie Savea.
Have to wonder what was said. pic.twitter.com/EG8o64JwWM
ADVERTISEMENT— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 3, 2023
In the post-match flash interview, Savea apologised for the gesture.
“I can understand the fans are furious around the gesture that I made,” Savea told Stan Sport.
“It was a heat-of-the-moment kind of thing, that’s footy but I understand, kids are watching us.
“That’s out of character for me so I put my hand up and I apologise for that … I’ve got to be better.”
The Hurricanes were down to 13 men when reserve prop Tevita Mafileo was yellow-carded just two minutes into the half, with his sloppy clean-out then upgraded to a red card by the Television Match Official in a new competition rule.
Melbourne were first on the board in the second half with wing Lachie Anderson winning the race to a kick by young flyhalf Carter Gordon into the in-goal.
Gordon himself then picked up a five-pointer after he scooped up a loose Hurricanes ball and raced more than 70 metres, chased all the way by Savea.
Hodge added the extras to close the gap to 24-19 after 56 minutes, with the spite draining out of the match.
The Hurricanes kicked away again with Barrett booting a penalty and then firing a pass for flying winger Salesi Rayasi to dive across in the corner.
Hardwick’s efforts gave the Rebels hope but the Hurricanes held on to savour their second Australian scalp after accounting for the Reds in round one.
The scorers:
For Melbourne Rebels:
Tries: Wilkin, Anderson, Gordon, Hardwick 2
Cons: Hodge 4
For Hurricanes:
Tries: A. Savea 2, Moorby, Rayasi, Barrett
Cons: Barrett 4
Pens: Barrett 2
Teams:
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Joe Pincus, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Stacey Ili, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Richard Hardwick, 7 Brad Wilkin (captain), 6 Tuiana Taii Tualima, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Matt Gibbon
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Angelo Smith, 20 Josh Kemeny, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Lukas Ripley, 23 Nick Jooste
Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 Cameron Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Brayden Iose, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Caleb Delany, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Riley Higgins, 23 Harry Godfrey
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Paul Williams & Graham Cooper
TMO: Oli Kellet
