'There is nothing wrong with this' - Ireland star leaps to Savea's defence

Former Ireland scrumhalf John Cooney has leap to the defence of Ardie Savea after the All Blacks No.8 was criticised for making a throat-slitting gesture during the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby victory over the Melbourne Rebels.

Savea was shown a yellow card following a large brawl just before half-time and after an exchange of words with scrum-half Ryan Louwrens, he drew his right hand across his throat before marching off.

Cooney defended the All Blacks star, suggesting it was more of a storm in a tea-cup than a significant offence on the part of Savea. The Ulster halfback wrote on Twitter: “Sorry but there is nothing wrong with this. He’s not watching on tv. He’s physically competing with 100kg + people. He’s competing in a contact sport. If he did it to me it would not bother me (bar me s***ting myself 😂). I’m sure it happens all the time across club level!

Sorry but there is nothing wrong with this. He’s not watching on tv. He’s physically competing with 100kg + people. He’s competing in a contact sport. If he did it to me it would not bother me (bar me shitting myself 😂). I’m sure it happens all the time across club level! https://t.co/1ovZPrTDdJ

— John Cooney (@JCooney09) March 3, 2023

Cooney wasn’t the only one coming to Savea’s offence. The Telegraph’s Charlie Richardson pointed out that the throat-slitting gesture was an oft-included part of New Zealand’s haka, which Savea had performed countless time.

“What Ardie Savea did this morning was APPALLING, wasn’t it? Oh wait,” wrote Richardson, accompanied by a picture of Ali Williams performing the ritual challenge. “The pearl-clutching has been, even for rugby, quite staggering. Throat-slitting gestures are fine in the Haka but not during play?”

What Ardie Savea did this morning was APPALLING, wasn't it?

Oh wait. pic.twitter.com/klobfQfuus

— Charles Richardson (@CRichardsonTel) March 3, 2023

In any event, Savea has since apologised for his actions saying he’s ‘got to be better’

“I can understand the fans are furious around the gesture that I made,” the All Blacks number eight told Stan Sport.

“It’s just a heat of the moment kind of thing. It’s footy. 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.

“For me, to get a yellow card for a push and shove… athat’s just where rugby’s going.

Fair cop from @ardiesavea 🦾

Credit: @StanSportRugby pic.twitter.com/y0ppvb3ChH

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 3, 2023

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

Savea, who has won 70 caps for New Zealand, is now likely to face disciplinary action.

additional reporting PA