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‘We’re in control’: Ardie Savea reflects on All Blacks’ loss to France
By Finn Morton
Backrower Ardie Savea was left visibly “gutted” and “extremely disappointed” after New Zealand’s thrilling 30-29 loss to France in Saint-Denis, Paris. Despite a valiant effort from the visitors, Les Bleus held on to secure their third win on the bounce over the All Blacks.
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Following wins over Japan, England and Ireland, New Zealand looked to keep the good times going with another statement win on the road. But the challenge that awaited them was by no means simple, with Antoin Dupont’s France raring to go before their shot at history.
It had been 30 years since France beat the All Blacks three times in a row, but that changed this weekend in the Autumn Nations Series. New Zealand led 14-3 in the 27th minute after tries to Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard, but the match’s momentum soon swung in the hosts’ favour.
Tomas Ramos was especially important with the flyhalf nailing three conversions and three penalties on the night. Les Bleus led 24-17 with less than 30 minutes to play, and while Damian McKenzie kicked the All Blacks to within one point of the lead, victory wouldn’t be theirs.
France’s defensive wall stood tall in the end as the All Blacks fell to their first loss since their 18-12 defeat to the world champion Springboks in Cape Town in early September. It’s a result which left reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea feeling “extremely disappointed.”
“We put ourselves right in there to win the game but our silly mistakes, we turned the ball over and the French squad, they’re a quality side, will punish us and they did,” Savea said on the post-game broadcast. “Pretty gutted.
“We felt like we’re in control and we’re pretty accurate in the first half, holding the ball, having possession and getting penalties and we’re scoring.
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“In the second half, we kind of let them in the game. They applied pressure on us but we couldn’t handle it. Towards the end we just got stuck on our line and we couldn’t do it.
“Although I’m extremely disappointed, I’m really proud of the boys. We’ve got next week to go. Disappointed but we’ve got to move forward.”
That result brings an end to the All Blacks’ hopes of an unbeaten run during their Northern Tour. New Zealand held on in a tense battle to beat England 24-22, and a 23-13 win at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium saw the knock Dublin off top spot on World Rugby’s men’s rankings.
For the All Blacks to beat England, Ireland and France in consecutive weeks was always going to be a tough ask, and that proved to be the case. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel as Scott Robertson’s men still have one more Test to play in 2024 before the international year is done.
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The New Zealanders will take on Italy next Sunday morning (NZST) at Allianz Stadium, which is the home of Italian football giants Juventus FC. This will be the first meeting between the teams since last year’s Rugby World Cup, which the All Blacks won 96-17 in Lyon.
“We wanted to win everything and we didn’t get it tonight,” Savea reflected.
“That’s credit to the French squad, they’re a quality side.
“We’ll have to look In the mirror, see where we could’ve put the nail in the coffin because we didn’t do it tonight.”
No point saying would've or could've against the Boks or French - we lost! Well we rode our luck against England and Ireland, and the luck ran out against the French.
Razor is 69% win ratio - heading to Italy. Assuming a win, leaves Razor 71% win ratio in first year, which lets face it is a PASS.
I am pleased to see we have seen some new guys have risen to the occassion - Sititi, Williams, Aumua, Lakai, and I class Roigard too (he had only played 6 tests before), some others we are still on fence Ratima, Darry, and Finau.
What scares me, is Razor's conservatism when it comes to teh game plan, and his insistance on continuing to play Reiko, Sevu and Beauden, as well as Jordan at 15 - while Will may like 15, he is not a worldclass 15, and I believe Love and Sullivan are stronger
I still think it was a mistake to play TJ in so many games too,
I hope Razor will give Perofeta a go at 10 against the Italians
Yeah definitely a pass mark for his first season assuming we are able to do the Italian job💪
What Savea couldn't control was the use of the bench. There were a couple of home goals from Razor. Ratima has been poor this tour, while Roigard has been an unsurprising revelation. To pull Roigard so early, or at all, was a huge error. You have to wonder if Hotham should be #2 now behind Roigard after Ratima's poor showings.
Tuipulotu should have come on much earlier when the French were starting to gain some physical momentum, perhaps the front row should have been rotated sooner too, even though the starters were fantastic.
DMac needs to go to 10 when he come's off the bench. He's clearly offered a point of difference to the attack when he's come on at flyhalf in his last two cameos, which has helped close out games. Shift BB to fullback or give him a breather.
Barrett had a good game generally, but started to lose his head towards the end, which is a habit he's struggled to kick. Two kicks in an attempt to force miracle plays are evidence of this, one ended in a French try down the other end, the other very well could have ended the same way. The first being a woeful chip while hot on attack in the French 22, the next a woeful cross-kick to a heavily marked wing inside his own 22.
It's a habit that's been the bane of Barrett's game throughout his late career. Credit to him he's bought it into check somewhat, but when the pressure's on he looses his patience and can't help himself but try to force a miracle with the boot.
DMac has been excellent at closing out games at 10 in his last 3 outings, whether we're in front or behind. He offers a different picture to the opposition defence in the last 20 or 30 minutes, and it's something teams have struggled to deal with. And something that was very much missing yesterday.
Reality is fourth loss this year and could've easily been six
True to a point, though the team that turned up at the start of the year would have been rolled by this French team, big time. This is a vastly improved side.
Roigard should have played for the whole match and choosing to go for 3 so close to the chalk and the hooter was ridiculous.
Not much between the two sides, both played positive attacking rugby.
All Blacks too impatient at times, not accurate enough, France were.
Gutted for Samipeni but Lakai has just sent Dalton to the dole que.
Roids is a future legend.
Dalton was always on the bludgers queue, along with overrated No 8