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What you didn't see: The pain behind Ardie Savea's crucial play that saved All Blacks from defeat

By Online Editors
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

It was the crucial play that saved the All Blacks from a possible defeat to the Wallabies and footage has shown the pain New Zealand number eight Ardie Savea was going through in the closing stages at Sky Stadium.

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Sky Sport‘s player cam was focused on Savea for Sunday’s test including the key moment when he turned the ball over with the Wallabies just metres out from the tryline with time up on the clock.

Australia were close to the posts and in prime drop goal territory when Savea pinched the ball which led to an All Blacks counter-attack and almost stealing a late win down the other end of the field.

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Shortly after the turnover, Savea struggled with cramp as play continued before teammate Anton Lienert-Brown checked on him.

The test continued for an extra five minutes after the turnover with Savea again on the spot when the Wallabies turned the ball over to begin another All Blacks counter.

Savea led the match in defenders beaten, after slipping through five Wallabies tackles.

Both sides went on to draw the match 16-all, and are set to face off again in Auckland this Sunday in the second test of a four-match series.

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Senzo Cicero 18 hours ago
'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in'

1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!

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