All Black Ardie Savea’s mixed emotions after being crowned world’s best
Hurt, loss and sadness were three words that quickly came to mind as All Blacks backrower Ardie Savea fronted the press after being crowned the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year.
Those words aren’t commonly associated with such an honour, but Savea couldn’t run, hide or burrow away from the despair of defeat after Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France.
It’s safe to say it was a weekend that Ardie Savea will never forget. Savea, 30, played in rugby union’s biggest Test for the first time as New Zealand faced rivals South Africa for eternal glory.
The All Blacks were dealt a painful blow inside the opening few minutes as flanker Shannon Frizell was sent to the sin bin. But later in the first term, the New Zealanders were knocked to the canvas.
Captain Sam Cane was shown a red card – the first in men’s Rugby World Cup final history. Savea stepped up as the leader the All Blacks desperately needed, and his influence was almost enough.
But the All Blacks fell short. There was only one point in it, but that’s all the Springboks needed to secure back-to-back World Cup titles.
“A lot of hurt. I don’t think we’ve processed it yet, I haven’t personally. I think it’ll really hit when I jump on the plane and it’s all quiet and you spend 14 hours just thinking about it,” Savea told reporters after the World Rugby Awards.
“I reckon that will probably be the time when it hits.
“That was one of the worst losses I’ve had in my career,” he added.
“I like to try and find positive things when things go bad. I woke up this morning and saw my kids and my wife and I just said, ‘I’m blessed.’
“It’s just a game. Even though it hurts and it hurts the nation, that’s one of my worst losses so far.”
About 22 hours after the full-time whistle, Savea walked onto the stage at Paris Opera Garnier to shake All Blacks great Dan Carter’s hand. Savea had just been named the world’s best player.
While Savea was humble and proud to receive the accolade, there was no hiding from the memories of the night before. The disappointment from the World Cup defeat was still very real for Savea.
But Savea offered a grin to reporters as he held onto his new trophy. With a twinkle in his eye, you could see how much the award meant to him.
“Very honoured and blessed to receive the award, mate. I’m lost for words actually,” Savea said.
“We lost last night and that really hurt so it’s nice to have something positive.
“I’d rather win the World Cup and send off our brothers who are playing their last game for the All Blacks with a World Cup, but hey, it’s not meant to be.
“We’re gonna go back and get around those boys and celebrate their careers.”
Savea is moving away from New Zealand for a bit, but the All Black will be back. The world-class loose forward will miss Super Rugby Pacific after taking up an opportunity for a sabbatical in Japan.
But it’s still the end of an era for New Zealand Rugby.
Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala and Dane Coles are all former All Blacks. Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga have potentially played their last Test in the jersey, too.
When asked to name the teammate he’ll miss playing with the most, Savea quickly responded with “all of them.”
“They come from an old school cloth and sometimes old school is good, it keeps the boys on edge.
“I need them if I’m playing… I think I’m going to miss all of them. They bring their own strengths and qualities and I’m going to miss (coach Ian Foster) Foz.
“I’ve built a special relationship with Foz and I just want to take this time too to honour him. He’s coached the team during COVID and through some storms in this black jersey. It’s a shame we couldn’t give him the fairytale ending but I know God’s got bigger plans for us.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments