Savea knew how to make Ireland lose their minds

Matthew Warnier, Media365: Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 11:30 p.m.

Author of New Zealand's second try on Saturday against Ireland in the World Cup quarter-final, Ardie Savea was able to show his strength in the defensive sector to help the All Blacks reach the semi-finals.

Ardi Savea did not miss the meeting. While New Zealand have managed to emerge victorious from an ongoing battle against Ireland on the field at Stade de France, the middle third row will remain one of the key elements of the All Blacks' squad on Saturday. If he starts this World Cup quarter-final by fouling out the first attacking XV of Clover by blocking the ball's release, it will still be the Wellington native who allowed New Zealand to take the lead at half-time. Indeed, while the Irish scored a massive ten points in six minutes to move back to just three points behind the All Blacks, thanks in particular to the inevitable Bondi Ake, Ardi Savea sounded the alarm seven minutes before half-time. While his teammates secured a touch earned after a 50-22 lead from Will Jordan, a reversal of play started by Aaron Smith under the post towards the left wing created a gap in which the New Zealand No. 8 found himself scrambled to dive home. Corner to goal despite James Lowe returning and scoring the All Blacks' 40th World Cup try.

Savea disgusted the Irish attack

On his return to the field, Ardie Savea was real poison to the Irish attack, getting his hands into every set to try and scratch the ball. It was one of his defensive tackles in particular that started the action that allowed Will Jordan, after a break through from Richie Mo'unga, to score New Zealand's third and final try of the encounter. Ardie Savea also knew how to hold his defensive line during the absolutely endless final action. After four minutes and nearly 40 minutes of play, the Irish attack was caught in the trap and sealed its fate in the World Cup. At the end of the match, instead of pulling the rug out from under him when he was named man of the match, Ardi Savea wanted to applaud the performance of his entire team. “I'm tired but it's a hell of a relief. I'm happy with the performance, with what we did this evening (Saturday), and I'm putting the third row on the microphone.” TF1lt;.emgt;. We trusted ourselves and our team. I'm very proud of what we did on the pitch, we worked hard. » After this sacred battle, the week of rest before facing Argentina in the first semi-final will not be much!