‘With all due respect’: Ardie Savea responds to Eddie Jones’ ‘economy’ dig

Captain Ardie Savea has laughed off a question that follows Eddie Jones’ belief that the New Zealand economy will “suffer” if the All Blacks fail to beat the Wallabies at the MCG this weekend.

The All Blacks revealed their team to take on arch-rivals Australia on the hallowed turf of the ‘G’ on Thursday afternoon, before flying into enemy territory later that day.

There was a daunting challenge waiting for them across the ditch. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones piled more pressure on the visitors, who were already the heavy favourites ahead of this Test.

After talking up the Wallabies’ chances for about 20 minutes, Jones kicked off the war of words ahead of Bledisloe I by saying the fate of the New Zealand economy rests on the All Blacks’ shoulders.

“There’s nothing better than winning against New Zealand because you feel the country sinking,” Jones told reporters on Thursday.

“It’s not just rugby that sinks, the country sinks. The whole economy goes down. The Prime Minister is there with his fingers crossed hoping the All Blacks win because he knows the economy is going to drop if they lose.

“Maybe put the New Zealand Prime Minister on call that the economy is going to suffer and at the same time raise our stakes here.”

Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks on Saturday evening in the absence of Sam Cane, with the star flanker failing to overcome a neck strain. Cane picked up the injury during the first half against South Africa a fortnight ago.

On the eve of the All Blacks’ next Test – before even training with his teammates on Australian soil – stand in skipper Savea fronted a sea of reporters in Southbank, Melbourne.

During the press conference, the seemingly inevitable topic of Eddie Jones’ cheeky dig at the New Zealand economy was raised.

Asked whether a win over the Wallabies would be good for the economy back in Aotearoa, Savea laughed before giving an answer.

“It’d be good mate, it’d be very good,” Savea.

“(But) I try to stay away from, with all due respect, the media and not read stuff like that.”

Coach Jones laid down the gauntlet with his “economy” message to the All Blacks ahead of this Test match. It’s more than just about rugby now.

But should they win, the All Blacks will retain the prestigious Bledisloe Cup for another year. The match kicks off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday evening.