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Ardie Savea gives verdict on Scott Robertson's All Blacks start
Ardie Savea has urged the All Blacks to embrace the challenge of playing England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham as he admitted the first few months under new coach Scott Robertson had been a “journey of growth”.
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Robertson began life as New Zealand coach with a 2-0 home series win against Saturday’s opponents and a comfortable defeat of Fiji in July, but he found results harder to come by during The Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks lost to South Africa (twice) and Argentina to finish second behind the Springboks in the final standings.
It was the first time since 2009 the team suffered three defeats in the tournament but on the back of a 64-19 win against Japan in Yokohama City last weekend, Savea is confident things are starting to come together.
“It’s been a journey of growth,” Savea said when asked to sum up the All Blacks’ year so far. “It’s been a journey of connecting, coming together as a team, as a family.
“There’s a lot of new personalities coming together but I feel like we’re getting there, and we are there.
“We’re starting to understand what our game is. We’re starting to understand the players around us and hopefully we can connect that this week.”
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Saturday will be third time the All Blacks have run out in Twickenham in the past two years, however they have to go back to 2018 for their most recent victory there.
In November 2022, England roared back to score three tries in the closing stages and claim a 25-25 draw that looked beyond them when Beauden Barrett struck a drop goal to put the All Blacks 25-6 in front with less than 10 minutes remaining.
On their last trip to south-west London, meanwhile, New Zealand were beaten 35-7 by South Africa in a Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up.
Savea was part of the team that recovered from going 15-0 down to win 16-15 in Twickenham six years ago, though, and he believes the three-time world champions need to focus on themselves.
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“We’ve got turn up and we understand how important the crowd is and the noise that comes with that,” he said. “But as All Blacks we’ve got to step forward and embrace that and walk with a smile and try to nail our game.”
Savea is expecting a physical battle on Saturday, especially given Tom Curry and Ben Earl have been selected to start in the England back-row. But he says there is more to their hosts than forward power.
“They don’t only just bring their physical game, they’ve got a bit of razzle and swag to their game as well with [Marcus] Smith at 10,” Savea explained.
“They can play from anywhere and we saw that the last time we played them at Twickenham; we got up and they came back and we drew.
“So, for us, we’ve just got to be clinical. Nail our job, nail our role, every moment, or try to, and hopefully get the dub.”
'It’s been a journey of connecting, coming together as a team, as a family'.
This sort of fluff and bubble is why the Allblacks are now losing regularly.
Ardie like every other Allblack needs to be measured weekly and his performances are way down compared to Sititi's with Cane further back.
Father time has caught them both and neither is good for more than a half of test footy.
Razor & his 2024 ABs have A LOT to prove.
Yep would expect Savea would speak positivity to the media.
But,
Savea stated ‘ABs coming together’.
He can’t have watched V Japan.
&
‘we’re starting to understand .. our game & players’.
Starting??
&
‘got to be clinical. … or try to’
Try??
The 2024 Razor ABs so far =
'Just wins" V an uninspiring England.
Another lame loss at home V an inspiring Pumas. Then dominant win
In Bledisloe Cup 1, another flacid win of 15min of AB dominance (25 odd points) but then 65min of loss ( 30 odd Oz points) once 10th ranked Oz woke up.
The 1 & only 80 min AB performance of the season was B.cup 2.
Another flacid performance V Japan with 30 odd min’s of AB dominance but then 50min of total switch off. ½ AB back ups but train together most of season.
So mostly a COLD 2024 ABs. Not even the ‘Hot, Cold, Hot, Cold’disease of the Foster years. EG, Lost 35-7 V Bok RWC23 warm-up.
& Worst ever ABs 10min, Nov22, 25-25 draw V England after 25-6 lead 10min to go.
2022 V Arg COLD loss in NZ, post HOT win V Bok, after COLD loss V Bok in SthAf . & yet better results than 2024 ABs.
Foster’s 2023 ABs rose to the occasion of the RWC23. 1 point off winning.
COLD Razor & his COLD 2024 ABs have A LOT to prove now in the highest ranked opposition & ranked opposition in Northern Tour history.
ABs are on the up same for England will be close but hoping boys in black smash them stuff the contest 😂
We need better selections at 7 9 and 13 .
7 yes but no one is playing to a different level yet
Maybe Lakai could be that guy
9 is fine as long as TJ isn’t in the 23
13 perhaps but Rieko and his speed is still the best defensive centre going
Proctor will get more time
Mostly good against Japan but also got stood up
Hopefully Razor gets it right. Almost feels like he is to scared of losing than actually going for the win mentality.
I would suggest that most AB fans can take a loss to any team and I mean any team, except the poms!