Super Rugby Pacific: Former All Black insist it’s time to move on from Ardie Savea saga

Former All Black Sir John Kirwan believes that all the focus on Ardie Savea and the gesture he used against the Rebels needs to stop, and that everyone should move on.

Savea threw himself into controversy during the Hurricanes’ narrow 39-33 win over the Rebels in Melbourne as he made a slit-throat gesture to Ryan Louwrens after being yellow-carded.

Apology made

The All Black has since admitted he was at fault and apologised for the act that he described as ‘in the heat of the moment’.

🗣️ "Kids are watching us, we’re in the heat of the moment. Usually that’s out of character for me, so I put my hand up and apologise for that."

🇳🇿 Ardie Savea remorseful after misbehaving against Rebels. #REBvHUR https://t.co/Ym8ZKpaDCv

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 4, 2023

Speaking on the panel show, The Breakdown, Kirwan underlined that Savea was wrong for his actions but believes it was not indicative of his character and that things should move on after his apology.

“No, total mistake from Ardie but he fronted up straight away and apologised,” he said.

“It should not go to judicial, I believe. We want to send a strong message to kids, but that was it [his apology], ‘I’m sorry, I made a mistake, I wasn’t good enough and I need to get better’, that’s what you want from your leaders.

“We need to be a bit careful too as sometimes we make those gestures during the haka. Like he said it is a warrior [moment].

“Did he make a mistake? Yes. Do we want to see it in our game? No. But he apologised and did that really well.”

The clash itself was brilliantly contested as the Rebels were looking to give their home fans something to shout about.

However, things did not start smoothly for the hosts, who found themselves 24-7 down at one stage before beginning an impressive comeback effort.

In the end, a late Jordie Barrett try sealed the game for the Hurricanes in a memorable Super Rugby Pacific fixture.

Time to move on

Another former All Black, Steven Bates, agreed with Kirwan about Savea’s actions and insisted it is time to “move on”.

“I don’t condone what he did but it’s the heat of the moment, like he said it’s a warrior game,” Bates said.

“Sometimes the things get to you. But I’ll tell you what, it was awesome to watch.

“I’m not saying we need to go back to the old days but a bit of push and shove, a bit of passion, that’s what you want to see.

“From my point of view he made a mistake, probably shouldn’t have done it but move on, he’s apologised.

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“It’s a heat of the battle thing and he got it wrong. Move on, don’t worry about it.”