Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'I just want everyone to know we got his back': Ardie Savea on head coach Ian Foster

(Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

All Blacks No 8 Ardie Savea has thrown his support behind Ian Foster ‘100 per cent’ after the All Blacks secured a 35-23 win over the Springboks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

ADVERTISEMENT

After a 26-10 defeat to South Africa last week, the visitors were under siege for the latest string of results which saw the side slip to a worst-ever fifth place in the World rankings.

When asked if the improved performance by the team was for Ian Foster, Savea explained that it was for everyone but he personally supports his head coach unequivocally.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

“It was for all of us, but for me personally that is for my coach,” Savea told media in the post-match press conference.

“I back him 100 per cent side-by-side. He’s been under a lot of pressure but I know Foz doesn’t want to make it about himself.

“I just want everyone to know we got his back, all the players have got his back. He’s a great coach, got great coaches beside him so we back him 100 per cent.

“I hope everyone that listens, that reads this, back us, because we gone get it.”

The No 8 had a fast start into the game by breaking away down the left hand side after a cross field kick by David Havili, he busted through the tackle of Jesse Kriel on the outside and almost went the distance.

ADVERTISEMENT

An infringement at the ruck by fullback Damian Willemse led to a yellow card but the All Blacks could not capitalise with 14 men as the Springboks held ground and kept them out.

The All Blacks also showed desperation in defence with a cover tackle by Jordie Barrett on Pieter-Steph du Toit saving a would-be try at the other end shortly after.

Savea said the desperation of the side played a part in turning round the result, with the forwards stepping up to nullify the Springboks’ pack.

“I think it was probably our desperation and our want in the boys to go out there and perform,” Savea said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We knew that our forward pack had to front up in order for us to get the W.

“We knew they were going to drive and come at us and we felt like we nullified that a little bit.

“I’m just pleased after everything that has been going on to come away with the boys and get the win.”

The All Blacks showed improvement in all the areas they had troubled with in Neilsprit, with the elevation of Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax to the starting side helping shore up the scrum.

The Springboks pulled third string hooker Joseph Dweba off after just 29 minutes to try and gain back some ascendency at the set-piece while all the South African prop replacements came on with five minutes remaining in the first half.

They also showed improvement in the aerial game with Jordie Barrett getting some assistance from the ground to catch the high balls safely, while the All Blacks’ attack sparked into life with the promotion of Richie Mo’unga at No 10.

In the quest for answers, Savea said the internal belief never wavered in the face of adversity and the building pressure surrounding the team ended up bringing the best out of the side.

“We always believe in each other. I feel like the last couple weeks this team has been through some adversity,” he said.

“I feel like, in life and in sport, when you go through adversity it brings the best out of people.

“I saw something from you saying that belief only takes us so far during the week. [Belief] took us pretty far this week.

“I’m just proud of everyone in this team to be able to step up, especially at Ellis Park, it’s bloody hard. I’m tired, knackered, can’t wait to hit the sack.”

Savea was measured in declaring this game the turning point for the embattled All Blacks looking to climb back up the global standings but said it was a building block and a start.

“It’s a start. The boys are chuffed, they are stoked to get the W, but in the back of our mind it is only a start,” he said.

“Hopefully we can build on this, take confidence out of what we’ve done. Jason[Ryan’s] done an amazing job of coming in and directing our forward pack.”

ADVERTISEMENT
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
JG 39 minutes ago
Scott Robertson opens up on drama surrounding Bongi Mbonambi's knock-on try

Oh my word, for how long are they still going to keep bleating about that try.

The match officials DID explain it at the time, ruling that the ball was knocked out of Bongi’s hand by a NZ player. The ball went straight down (not forward) and Bongi fell on it, thus resulting in the try being awarded.

So it is disingenuous of Robertson to say that it wasn’t checked. If the match officials are confident in their decision, based on what they saw, then they don’t usually go to the TMO - even if requested.

Or else they’ll be going upstairs for virtually every try scored in a match.

Seriously, the Kiwis must now get over themselves. Every time they lose a match by a narrow margin, they find something to go on and on about. It’s almost as if they believe that other teams are “not allowed” to beat them.

Mind you, I think that dates back to a few years earlier when it seemed like the All Blacks were untouchable in the eyes of the match officials at the time.

Maybe Robertson still thinks that is the case nowadays. He hasn’t received the memo about the ABs no longer being unfairly “protected” by match officials.

Let’s face it - there was a time, not too long ago, where players from other teams were almost too afraid to touch or tackle a New Zealand player, for fear of incurring the referee's wrath.

And also, around the same time, NZ captain Richie McCaw was the “golden boy” amongst match officials and even amongst the big brass at the (then) IRB (now World Rugby).

Dont get me wrong, I’m an admirer of McCaw as a player and captain - I think he was great. And I will ALWAYS regard the All Blacks as a great Rugby team.

BUT let’s just be realistic, the New Zealand Rugby fraternity do tend to have this rather large sense of entitlement when it comes to test matches won or lost.

They expect other teams to accept it whenever a dubious decision goes the All Blacks’ way in a game.

BUT they don’t seem willing to do the same.

They'll routinely congratulate their opponents when they lose a match, but will then (for months, or even years afterwards), continue to bleat and “bitch” about a decision or incident that occurred in that match, trying to play the “victim” that was hard-done-by.

Perhaps it’s time for all involved in NZ Rugby to realize and accept that NO team should expect to have the right to always be “protected” or “favoured” in every match they play in.


Come on Scott Robertson, quit sinking to the low levels of some of your predecessors who, annoyingly, believed that the All Blacks have some divine, inalienable right to win every match they play.

6 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Johann van Graan: The Bulls boy who would be England's king Johann van Graan: The Bulls boy who would be England's king
Search