Latest news with #ArdieSavea
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Scott Robertson's vision takes shape in Wellington
Did we see the future? It's too early to be sure, but hopefully we got a preview of the sort of high-speed, quick-thinking rugby the All Blacks will play this year under coach Robertson. As a prime example, Tupou Vaa'i's try in the 36th minute was the result of the sort of brilliant attacking play sadly lacking in too many of the test matches played around the world. There's a battle going on internationally for the soul of the game. There was World Cup success for South Africa in 2023 with a team of muscular giants. In the contest between a side of weightlifters and a team of aerobically fit athletes, the spectacle great rugby can be will always be provided by the fitter, more daring players. It was interesting, and heartening, to see Sir Wayne Smith in the New Zealand coaches' box in Wellington. Bet the farm that he's encouraging what he's often described as our 'natural rugby DNA', an adventurous style where rush defences are bemused by speed of foot and decision-making. Tupou Vaa'i celebrates after scoring against France in Wellington. Photo / Photosport A round of applause to all Cam Roigard's 14th-minute try came from one of the cheekiest and most perfectly executed moves I've ever seen in a test match. The ball, it seemed, was going to be run from the back of the New Zealand lineout. No 8 Christian Lio-Willie was sprinting furiously towards the middle of the field, his body hunched over the ball he was carrying. Except he wasn't. There was no ball. At the front of the lineout, captain Ardie Savea was smuggling it to Roigard. The gifted halfback flew 30m to the tryline. It was at once almost laugh-out-loud funny and a classic example of out-of-the-box thinking being made real by players with faith in themselves, no doubt boosted by numerous rehearsals at private training sessions. Men of the match The old saying, 'cometh the hour, cometh the man', could hardly have applied more than to Ardie Savea and Patrick Tuipulotu. Savea was captaining the All Blacks because of a training injury to Scott Barrett, and Tuipulotu was playing for the same reason. To say Tuipulotu's return to the side was seamless actually understates how much at home he looked in the lineouts, or the physical presence he brought to his general play. And on the topic of physicality, it's extraordinary how Savea – after a season of Super Rugby Pacific in which he gave so much week after week leading Moana Pasifika – has such massive reserves of mental and physical strength that he played in Wellington like a man in the exuberant first stages of a career. Dreams can come true It's little wonder some tears rolled down the face of Timoci Tavatavanawai during the national anthem in Wellington. The second-eldest in a family of nine in Fiji, the powerhouse midfielder is in rugby for a lot more than himself. His father died during the Covid epidemic and Tavatavanawai has always made it clear what drives his career. 'The main motive for me when I play footy is to support my little siblings.' In February, I wrote that 'Tavatavanawai offers the solidity, and many of the skills another man who went from wing to second-five, Ma'a Nonu, did in the 2011 and 2015 World Cup-winning All Black teams'. After his debut in black, I see no reason to change that opinion. Timoci Tavatavanawai lifts the Dave Gallaher Trophy. Photo / Photosport Buying early was wise All tickets are sold out for the third and final test in Hamilton. It looks now like a very sensible decision to get in early. Despite the lopsided nature of the Wellington test, I'll say yet again: 'This is the French we're playing.' Which means the possibilities are much greater than against a more predictable outfit. Who knows? Coach Galthié may even start the best team he can put on the paddock. And if they're massacred by the All Blacks, at least there will be some spectacular tries. Oh, joy Sadly, the decision has been made by World Rugby (presumably because we're heading towards a World Cup in 2027) that the aim of refereeing test matches is now not to try to present a great spectacle, but to make sure that every tiny 'i' is dotted and every minuscule 't' is crossed. Speaking to an overseas contact in the belly of the refereeing beast, I'm told post-test reviews this year have been brutal. Basically we can expect more referrals to television match officials (TMOs), because it's been made clear to test referees that the slightest technical mistake will cost them future appointments. No particular country has been mentioned by name but the free-flowing style the All Blacks would like to be playing will obviously suffer from the official demands for nit-picking officiating. On the other hand To end on a positive note, there were plenty of signs in the Black Ferns' 37-12 crushing of Australia in Wellington that suggest we will see real fireworks from the team at the Women's Rugby World Cup when it starts in August in England. The attitude of the Ferns looks as daring as it did during that wonderful October in 2022 when they won not only the Cup but the hearts and minds of every Kiwi rugby lover. Phil Gifford is a Contributing Sports Writer for NZME. He is one of the most-respected voices in New Zealand sports journalism.
1News
3 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
'We were ruthless' - All Blacks' joy at wrapping up French series
All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea says his side achieved the 'ruthless' performance they were looking for in scoring six tries to two during their 43-17 victory over France in Wellington last night. Their attempted blitzkrieg attacks spluttered during the first Test win in Dunedin, but were far more polished at the Cake Tin with the All Blacks leveraging a strong and at times surprisingly innovative line out to pressure the visitors and effectively put the game to rest by halftime. Watch now on TVNZ+ — Lineout play bamboozles French in dominant All Blacks win 'We spoke during the week about wanting to front up and work on the things we needed to and I thought the boys did that really well tonight,' Savea said. 'I thought we were ruthless in most parts of the game and allowed our backs to finish things off.' Three of the All Blacks' four first-half tries originated from their lineout – halfback Cam Roigard's neat set blindside move, plus two mauling tries for Codie Taylor and Ardie Savea. ADVERTISEMENT Tupou Vaa'i's try under the posts was the most spectacular score of the night, if not the series, and was a result of the pressure the All Blacks were exerting. It was also a win for their offloading, run-and-gun style — clearly extremely hard to stop when done well — which they will want to ramp up even further for bigger challenges to come. Second-half tries for Rieko Ioane in the left corner – a good finish after excellent decision making in the lead up from Du'Plessis Kirifi and Jordie Barrett – and the almost inevitable score for fullback Will Jordan allowed the home side to finish with a flourish at a place where they haven't had a lot of success over the past five years. Winning back the Dave Gallaher Trophy was clearly significant, too. 'It means a lot to us,' head coach Scott Robertson said. 'We haven't held the trophy for a long time. We handed it back to them seven years ago and it's good to have a couple of drinks out of it and honour the great Dave Gallaher.' Ardie Savea makes a break against France, with Will Jordan in support. (Source: Photosport) There were other highlights. Defensively, the All Blacks were much better after being too easily opened up and conceding three tries last weekend, their kicking game was better, and there was a popular Test debut for Timoci Tavatavanawai — the back-up midfielder who was on in the first half as a short-term replacement and back after the break. ADVERTISEMENT The Fijian-born 27-year-old, playing in front of his mother and two siblings who made the trip over, had tears streaming down his face during the national anthem. 'It was a goal of mine to play footy for New Zealand, for the All Blacks, and it was a goal of my dad's too,' Tavatavanawai said in reference to his late father. 'I couldn't hold back… my dream came true.' And there is no doubt that converted blindside flanker Vaa'i has the skills and instincts to play there fulltime if required. Robertson will likely ring the changes for next Saturday's third Test in Hamilton, which will likely mean a starting spot for Samipeni Finau, but Vaa'i is looming as an important piece of the head coach's puzzle as he looks ahead to the visit of the world champion Springboks for two Tests in September. Asked about his try, his second in two weeks, Vaa'i said: 'We wanted to keep the ball alive and we talked about going through them early on. 'I guess I was in the right place at the right time… I'll give the credit to Fabian [Holland], he was the one who gave me the offload to put me under the sticks. 'Ardie told us before the game 'let the shackles off, be free, be you and play your game'. I guess that paid dividends for us tonight.' ADVERTISEMENT In a pointed reference to last weekend's constant interruptions from the television match official, who ruled out three All Black tries, Robertson said: 'It was good to see the referee making the calls and the flow of the game… a couple of good maul tries… it was pleasing.' Asked to rate his team's progress out of 10, Robertson said: 'We've got a game next week which we have to prepare for so I'll answer it then. 'This is a series. We've won two but the third is just as important to us.'
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Today
All Blacks score six tries to hammer under-strength France
New Zealan captain Ardie Savea breaks with the ball against France in Wellington rugby union By Daniel GILHOOLY New Zealand crushed an under-strength France 43-17 in the second test in Wellington on Saturday, scoring six tries to clinch the three-match series. The All Blacks bounced back from a nervous 31-27 win in the first test in Dunedin with a commanding performance against an inexperienced French side who made 10 changes to their starting line-up. Led by a dominant forward display, the home side were more clinical in converting scoring positions into points in Wellington, having had three tries disallowed a week earlier. While the All Blacks made two injury-enforced changes from the first test, French coach Fabien Galthie removed a core of experienced players to name a starting side with just 60 test caps between them. Four starting French forwards were making their debuts and it showed as the home side dominated the breakdown and lineout in particular, giving a solid platform for standout scrum-half Cam Roigard to control the contest. Up 29-3 at half-time, the All Blacks were never threatened, securing a 10th straight win over France on home soil. An early New Zealand penalty goal by fly-half Beauden Barrett was followed by three tries that all stemmed directly from lineouts -- the first to Roigard, who ran 30 meters untouched after a trick move that fooled the defense. France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec scored his team's only points of the half with a penalty before the home side pulled clear with successive tries from lineout drives to flanker Ardie Savea and hooker Codie Taylor. Savea, standing in as captain in place of the injured Scott Barrett, gave a dominant display. "The boys fronted up to get the win," said Savea. "This week we talked about our defense. We wanted to bring fire there and I think we did that in most parts of the game." A former world player of the year, Savea instigated a brilliant team try before the interval. His break from 60 meters out sparked a flowing move which ended with flanker Tupou Vaa'i scoring under the crossbar. The half was marred by a yellow card offense from each side -- to Beauden Barrett for a deliberate knock-on and debut French lock Joshua Brennan for a lifting tackle. France made six substitutions early in the second half and the refreshed side created a try for fullback Leo Barre. "Credit to the French, you know they never give up, they're always there," Savea said. "I'm proud of our boys for just digging in and doing a good job tonight." All Blacks fullback Will Jordan responded for the hosts with his 41st try in 43 Tests before wing Rieko Ioane powered across in the left corner. Brennan had the final say for France, barging over for their second try. "Obviously we're really disappointed with the score." said France wing Emilien Gailleton. "We wanted to prove much more today. Really disappointed but we're going to recover and come back much better next week. "We want to finish our season with a good performance. The third test is in Hamilton next Saturday. © 2025 AFP
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
All Blacks thump France to win series with game to spare
New Zealand (29) 43Tries: Roigard, Savea, Taylor, Jordan, Vaa'i, Ioane Cons: B Barrett 4, J Barrett Pen: B BarrettFrance (3) 17Tries: Barre, Brennan Cons: Le Garrec, Hastoy Pen: Le Garrec Hosts New Zealand thumped France 43-17 to win the second Test in Wellington and clinch the series with a game to All Blacks laboured to a 31-27 win over France in Dunedin last week but were comfortable winners on Saturday, running in six tries at Sky Robertson's side led 29-3 at half-time before Six Nations champions France, who travelled south without most of their first-choice players, claimed two tries in the second Beauden Barrett kicked an early penalty for the All Blacks before the first three tries came from attacking line-outs, with scrum-half Cam Roigard flashing down the blind-side to open the scoring on 14 was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on but the hosts continued to attack and captain Ardie Savea pounced on a line-out ball to wrestle his way over for his 29th Test try, meaning he has overtaken Richie McCaw as New Zealand's most prolific try-scoring Codie Taylor crossed on 29 minutes on the back of a more traditional rolling maul, with France's pack short-handed after debutant lock Josh Brennan - the Toulouse-raised son of former Ireland forward Trevor Brennan - had been sin-binned for a tip by Savea, Rieko Ioane and Netherlands-born lock Fabian Holland then set flanker Tupou Vaa'i free up the middle to score the pick of the tries and put the hosts firmly in charge at the replied with full-back Leo Barre taking advantage of an All Blacks error to score a 47th-minute try, although New Zealand full-back Will Jordan produced a similar score shortly after for his 41st try from 43 All Blacks extended their lead to 43-10 when winger Ioane dived over in the corner on 62 minutes before Brennan crossed for the tourists with three minutes series concludes with the third Test at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium on 19 July.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Awesome All Blacks sink France to seal series win
Ardie Savea has scored a try and led the All Blacks superbly to a 43-17 win over France and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series. Savea took over the captaincy from the injured Scott Barrett on Saturday and under his leadership New Zealand produced a more intense and physical performance than in the first Test in which they scraped home 31-27. The All Blacks dominated through their forwards against a French team that had 10 changes to their starting line-up from the first Test, and still lacked most of their Six Nations stars. "This week we talked about our defence and we wanted to bring fire in that area and we did that in most parts of the game," Savea said. "I'm proud of our boys for just sticking with it and doing a good job tonight." With greater control of possession, New Zealand were able to set a higher tempo than in the first Test and scored six tries to two. The All Blacks were dangerous around the fringes of breakdowns through Savea and Cam Roigard and unstoppable when they got the ball wide to fullback Will Jordan and winger Rieko Ioane, who scored tries. After a Beauden Barrett penalty, Roigard scored the first try of the match on 14th minutes when he linked with Savea who broke on the blindside. Savea crossed in the 23rd, pivoting away a lineout drive to touch down while New Zealand were reduced to 14 men with Beauden Barrett in the sin bin. Hooker Codie Taylor scored from another lineout drive in the 29th minute, then back-rower Tupou Vaa'i ended the first half with a try from a superb handling movement which involved Savea, Ioane and centre Billy Proctor. Count the offloads 🔢Tupou Vaa'i finishes off an incredible try 🤩#NZLvFRA — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 12, 2025 France made five changes to start of the second half and produced their first try in the 47th minute through fullback Leo Barre. The All Blacks responded with tries to Jordan in the 54th minute and Ioane in the 62nd, again from slick handling. France had the last say when they scored in the 77th minute through Ireland-born lock Joshua Brennan, but New Zealand regained the Dave Gallagher Trophy for the first time in seven years.
