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‘With all due respect’: Ardie Savea responds to Eddie Jones’ ‘economy’ dig
Captain Ardie Savea has laughed off a question that follows Eddie Jones’ belief that the New Zealand economy will “suffer” if the All Blacks fail to beat the Wallabies at the MCG this weekend.
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The All Blacks revealed their team to take on arch-rivals Australia on the hallowed turf of the ‘G’ on Thursday afternoon, before flying into enemy territory later that day.
There was a daunting challenge waiting for them across the ditch. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones piled more pressure on the visitors, who were already the heavy favourites ahead of this Test.
After talking up the Wallabies’ chances for about 20 minutes, Jones kicked off the war of words ahead of Bledisloe I by saying the fate of the New Zealand economy rests on the All Blacks’ shoulders.
“There’s nothing better than winning against New Zealand because you feel the country sinking,” Jones told reporters on Thursday.
“It’s not just rugby that sinks, the country sinks. The whole economy goes down. The Prime Minister is there with his fingers crossed hoping the All Blacks win because he knows the economy is going to drop if they lose.
“Maybe put the New Zealand Prime Minister on call that the economy is going to suffer and at the same time raise our stakes here.”
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Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks on Saturday evening in the absence of Sam Cane, with the star flanker failing to overcome a neck strain. Cane picked up the injury during the first half against South Africa a fortnight ago.
On the eve of the All Blacks’ next Test – before even training with his teammates on Australian soil – stand in skipper Savea fronted a sea of reporters in Southbank, Melbourne.
During the press conference, the seemingly inevitable topic of Eddie Jones’ cheeky dig at the New Zealand economy was raised.
Asked whether a win over the Wallabies would be good for the economy back in Aotearoa, Savea laughed before giving an answer.
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“It’d be good mate, it’d be very good,” Savea.
“(But) I try to stay away from, with all due respect, the media and not read stuff like that.”
Coach Jones laid down the gauntlet with his “economy” message to the All Blacks ahead of this Test match. It’s more than just about rugby now.
But should they win, the All Blacks will retain the prestigious Bledisloe Cup for another year. The match kicks off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday evening.
Comments on RugbyPass
Chief Cheapshot on the market again.
1 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
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