Ardie Savea death threat during Hurricanes game vs Melbourne Rebels, reaction, highlights
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All Blacks star Ardie Savea has been summoned by the SANZAAR Justice in the amazing incident at the Melbourne Super Rugby game.
Savea apologized for his slit-throat gesture after being booked and said it was a “brain explosion” meant to mean he defeated his opponent during the Hurricanes’ dramatic 39-33 victory over the rebels would “shatter” Melbourne.
Late on Saturday evening, SANZAAR announced that Savea would face a hearing on Monday.
Savea is said to have acted against good sportsmanship and the incident had reached the red card threshold for foul play.
The offense carries a four-week low-end ban but could see him sidelined for up to 12 weeks.
Savea, the brilliant backrower for the All Blacks and captain of the Hurricanes, received a yellow card after sparking a brawl at AAMI Park just before halftime.
The No. 8 threw Rebels playmaker Carter Gordon to the ground after Dane Coles started a scuffle by wrapping an arm around the throat of Rebels lockdown Josh Canham and wrestling him to the ground. The skirmish led to an all-in push and shove in the seconds before halftime as the Hurricanes led 24-7.
Savea was shown a yellow card by referee James Doleman for his role in the ugly brawl.
Ardie Savea was shown a yellow card for knocking Carter Gordon down. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
But it was his actions in the moments after that prompted an outburst on social media, as Savea took offense at some clapping from Rebels halfback Ryan Louwrens and responded with a slit-throat gesture.
“Oh Ardie, 10 minutes in the bin, you just gotta run,” two-time World Cup winner Tim Horan told Stan Sport.
Rebel backer Reece Hodge tried to alert Doleman to the crime: “He’s threatening to kill him.”
Doleman took no further action, but Melbourne supporters responded with a chorus of boos as replays showed Savea’s throat-cutting gesture.
“It’s unsportsmanlike from someone like Ardie Savea,” Horan said.
“That’s a lot of frustration to support Dane Coles.”
The Rebels didn’t capitalize on the yellow card and late opportunity as the home side’s rolling maw was defended into side contact to end a sharp first half.
Former Wallabies lockdown Justin Harrison lashed out at Savea’s actions, saying he’s never seen anything like it on a rugby pitch.
“Not just Ardie Savea, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player make that kind of action and gesture in and between a game,” he said.
“Ardie Savea comes in and grabs Carter Gordon from behind and throws him to the ground. That kind of carry on. There are different ways to get a message across.”
New Zealand pundit Joe Wheeler added: “Mils Muliaina and I are sitting here and saying ‘You don’t have to continue after being shown a yellow card’ but obviously something must have happened. I’ll tell you if it weren’t for that [water boy] Jamie Mackintosh runs in and grabs Ardie Savea by the shoulder, which might have been worse for Ardie.”
Speaking to reporters after the game, Savea said he could understand why his actions received widespread attention and negativity.
“I just wanted to say if I come I’ll try to smash you,” he said.
“But I understand that can be misunderstood and I also apologized to the player I did this to after the game.
“It’s just the heat of the moment. It’s a warrior game but I have to lead by example as I’m the skip. I got that wrong, but it’s something I can continue to learn from and grow from.”
Both Savea and his trainer Jason Holland said they hoped the incident would not result in punishment.
“I’m not sure, it’s out of my control,” Savea said.
“People can take it as they can. It’s a heat of the moment, it’s a warrior game. You’re in there, you’re ready to fight and try to crush each other, and there was a bit of banter that overwhelmed me.
“Don’t worry, I walked off the field and my old man called and growled at me.”
When asked if his father was a scary man, Savea said he had never experienced such a call.
“He’s a pretty quiet guy, but it’s not often that I get a call like that after the game,” Savea said.
“My mom was in the crowd today too and asked me if I was okay because I’m not usually like that. I called my wide and she asked if everything was ok. It was just a brain explosion for me.
“I understand the role I’m playing when the kids watch the games. It doesn’t excuse what I’ve done, but we make mistakes and hopefully I’ll grow and learn from them.”
https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/03/05/hes-threatened-to-kill-him-tensions-explode-in-super-round-as-savea-binned/ Ardie Savea death threat during Hurricanes game vs Melbourne Rebels, reaction, highlights
