1
The trouble with Ardie Savea and his protective goggles
Ardie Savea isn’t giving up on his desire to wear the protective goggles he discarded in New Zealand’s last two matches. The decision by the All Blacks back row to use the protective eye wear during the World Cup in Japan has become a talking point as his team works its way through their pool schedule.
ADVERTISEMENT
He first took the field wearing them as a second half replacement during New Zealand’s win over Canada last week in Oita, a maiden match appearance with the goggles that was initially abandoned when a strap broke.
He then decided not to use them altogether due to the humid conditions that materialised for the Sunday lunchtime Tokyo kick-off versus Namibia.
However, he insisted this use off the protective eye wear remains a work in progress and patience is required before he gets fully up to speed.
“Like anything that you try that’s new, it takes a bit of time and it’s probably the worst time to try them because of the humid conditions and it’s been really hot,” he explained.
(Continue reading below…)
“So just trying to get used to them, they were fogging up quite a bit during the warm-up, so I just decided not to wear them during the game, but we will continue on giving them a crack and trying to find ways that I can wear them.
“Because I sweat a lot, and having the sweat come through my eyes and stuff like that was pretty tough. It was the worst place to try them and I guess with the weather conditions as well. So it will take some time getting used to it,” he continued, adding that he won’t be deterred from using them.
ADVERTISEMENT
After a thrilling opening few weeks to a Rugby World Cup which has lived up to its billing as the most competitive yet, @rhigarthjones picks the team of the tournament so far.https://t.co/JqrXe4DK3M
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 7, 2019
“Yes, definitely. Work with the doc, work with the people who make the goggles to see how it can work. Got to persevere. I’ll keep training in them but, if they’re not working on game day, then park them up and if they are, then sweet.
“The straps came off (against Canada) and I thought I didn’t have enough time to put them back on, so I threw them to the sideline,” he explained, adding: “A few of the boys have tried them on and seen what they’re like. They just like how cool it looks.”
WATCH: The latest episode in the RugbyPass Exceptional Stories series – Jackson: Climbing Mountains – features Ed Jackson’s incredible fightback to health following a swimming pool accident
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments