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Savea lifts lid on tackling the Boks

Marc Hinton

All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea has never forgotten his first test against the mighty Springboks.

‘‘The next day I couldn’t feel my body,’’ he confessed on the eve of the 100th clash between rugby’s greatest rivals.

Savea yesterday did nothing to hose down the hype and high stakes around tonight’s Rugby Championship clash between the All Blacks and Springboks in Townsville.

Savea was only too happy to add to the feeling that this match has the makings of something very special.

It is the centenary test, exactly 100 years since the first clash between the two nations and the first clash between the two since the South Africans became world champions in 2019. It can effectively decide the Rugby Championship with a round remaining, with the 4-0 New Zealanders holding a 10-point lead at the top of the table.

It is also an excellent opportunity to evaluate this All Blacks team of

Ian Foster’s that is undefeated in 2021 (on a nine-match win streak in total).

‘‘The All Blacks against the Springboks is one of the most iconic test matches ever played in rugby, and to be a part of that is pretty special,’’ said Savea. ‘‘We all know what the South Africans are like and how they play – they’re very big, physical men and they just want to dominate.

‘‘It’s an exciting challenge that hopefully we’re ready for.’’

Savea said it was a clash all of his team were eager to participate in.

‘‘This is how we measure ourselves, against the Springboks. They’re the world champions, and every time our nations come together it’s always special, always

a spectacle, and to be part of, like [coach Ian Foster] says, a legacy game potentially, it’s something to look forward to.’’

Savea has played the Springboks six times, for five victories and a single defeat. The first, in 2016, was one he will never forget.

‘‘My first test against the Springboks was in Christchurch, and the next day I couldn’t feel my body. That’s the example of how hard it is.

‘‘Regardless of previous results, when the two nations collide it’s a big one.’’

Savea also fielded a tricky question extremely well on the long history between the two nations that has involved periods where players of Ma¯ori and Pasifika heritage were not able to be selected by the All Blacks.

‘‘When you put it like that it gets the heart-strings going,’’ he said. ‘‘Being where I am now and learning about the rich history both nations have and how it’s shaped our culture . . . like life is, with the good there comes the bad.

‘‘Right now this week is a time to celebrate, reflect on the rich history both nations have, and to see the brothers in South Africa being able to play it’s pretty special and to have one of them like Siya Kolisi lead their country and their boys is amazing to see.’’

The All Blacks look certain to unleash their own Kapa o Pango haka for the first time this year to mark the big occasion. Expect it to be dripping with emotion.

Sport

en-nz

2021-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282720525110871

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