Rugby world erupts over All Blacks forward’s appalling gesture

All Blacks star Ardie Savea has responded after his appalling gesture shocked the rugby world on Friday night.

Savea apologised over this gesture. Pic: Stan Sport

All Blacks forward Ardie Savea has apologised for making a throat-slitting gesture towards an opponent during a Super Rugby Pacific match in Melbourne, conceding he needs “to be better”.

Wellington Hurricanes captain Savea ran his thumb across his throat during a verbal exchange with Melbourne Rebels halfback Ryan Louwrens after being shown a yellow card in Friday’s match, won 39-33 by the Hurricanes.

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The 29-year-old Savea, regarded as one of the world’s premier players, was shown the card for “escalating” the situation according to referee James Doleman, with players from both teams having become involved in a fracas late in the first half.

Bit of push and shove and Ardie Savea is NOT happy 😡

↳ Rebels v Hurricanes, LIVE NOW. Every Match. Ad-free. Live & On Demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.#StanSportAU#SuperRugbyPacific#REBvHURpic.twitter.com/JuPeY5Nlr7

— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) March 3, 2023

Ardie Savea to one of the Rebels players as he left the pitch after being yellow-carded. pic.twitter.com/xpF551fxiz

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 3, 2023

Rebels captain Reece Hodge complained immediately to Doleman that stiffer punishment was needed as Savea’s gesture towards Louwrens was “threatening to kill him”.

Savea, who has played 70 Tests for the All Blacks, including four as captain, later told broadcaster Stan Sport he lost control of his temper and regretted the action.

“I can understand the fans are furious around the gesture that I made,” he said.

“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 first and I apologise for that.”

“I put my hand up and I apologise for that.” An honest reflection from Ardie Savea post-match 🗣️

↳ Rebels v Hurricanes, LIVE NOW. Every Match. Ad-free. Live & On Demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.#StanSportAU#SuperRugbyPacific#REBvHURpic.twitter.com/152gThQF6l

— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) March 3, 2023

Savea said the fiery encounter with Louwrens was “just normal banter in the game” and accepted it wasn’t a good look from a player regarded as a role model.

“We’re trying to clean up the game. I understand, there’s no excuse for me, I’ve got to be better.”

The rugby world had a mixed response to the moment online with some experts argued it was an appalling moment that crossed the line, while others said it was all a storm in a teacup.

Carry on? Surely that’s a red to Ardie Savea.

As Reece Hodge just said, “He’s threatened to kill him.”

No excuse.

— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) March 3, 2023

Ardie Savea gave a heartfelt apology after the match. He has been a great role model to kids for a long time and I think he deserves our understanding. Maybe we use this to show the importance of owning up to mistakes sincerely apologising #SuperRugbyPacific

— Matt Toomua (@mtoomua) March 3, 2023

That Ardie Savea thing looks a bit like a section of the Haka to me.

Nothing more.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) March 3, 2023

Ardie Savea has just done a very, very silly thing.

Shown a yellow card just before half time half time, as he leaves the field he chats with a Rebels player and draws a line across his throat.

Absolutely no place for that in the game. Wonderful player. But no.#REBvHUR

— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) March 3, 2023

Not a good look from Ardie Savea. Great player but gesture was uncalled for. Wrong and deserves to be condemned.
Players are role models for kids out there and he should apologise. Simply wrong. Period.

— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) March 3, 2023

Savea’s action overshadowed his dominant on-field performance at No.8, having scored the first two Hurricanes’ tries and set up the third.

He told reporters after the game that his gesture was only intended to mean “I’m going to smash you”.

He said he was hoping not to face any further punishment from officials.

“I’m not too sure, it’s out of my control,” Savea said.

“People can take it the way they can. It’s a heat of the moment, it’s a warrior game. You’re in there, you’re ready to battle and trying to smash each other, and there was a bit of banter going on and it got the best of me.

“Don’t worry, I got off the field and my old man called me and growled me off.”

- with news.com.au

Originally published as Rugby world erupts over All Blacks forward’s appalling gesture