Plenty to take away from performance, Brown says
HIGHLANDERS coach Tony Brown was full of praise for his side’s performance in the first half but the second half just showed the level needed to play Super Rugby.
Brown said there was plenty to like from his side in the opening 40 minutes.
“We had good speed, we were physical, created a lot of opportunities and finished well”
Brown said.
“I was really happy with what those boys delivered.
Second half — some guys who had not played a lot of Super
Rugby, Mitre 10 Cup players and they”ll learn a lot from that.
“That sort of shows we lack bit of depth.”
He said halfback Folau Fakatava sparked the team in the first half.
There was one goal line dropout in game and it was the first phase of many which led to a Highlanders try.
He said the new laws may lead to shifts in momentum throughout the game.
Lock Josh Dickson left the field with a head knock while fellow lock Bryn Evans damaged some rib cartilage.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said the first 20 minutes was rough but the side rallied well.
He said the side had 57 players at training last week but things would ramp up this week.
The new dropout rule looked like it will have a big impact on the game, opening up another 20m on the field.
WELLINGTON: Ardie Savea knew it was time to step up.
Savea has been named as captain of the Hurricanes for the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season, but it was not a title he sought out. In fact, he almost tried to avoid it.
‘‘Alfie [Hurricanes coach Jason Holland] approached me and Colesy [Dane Coles] talked to me and at first I was like, ‘Oh nah’, you know, playing it down. But, I knew deep down in my heart that this season, at this time of my career, I think it’s time for me to step up and step out of my comfort zone and try something that I’m not used to. I usually just go out there and play, but it’s time to lead.’’
The loose forward succeeds All Blacks teammates Dane Coles and TJ Perenara, who shared the leadership duties in 2020.
Savea said he had been inspired by the hooker and halfback.
‘‘What I admire about them is that they’re men of action. They lead through their actions. I think that’s the biggest way to lead and to show the brothers and to earn respect. That’s what
I like to do to, lead through actions.’’
Savea is a leader in the Wellington and Pasifika communities. Those connections make him the perfect fit for a Hurricanes squad made up largely of Pasifika and Maori players.
‘‘Last year about 70 percent of our team was Pasifika. So, to be up here, I’m standing loud and proud to be Samoan, to be Kiwi. I’m here loud and proud not only representing myself, but my franchise, my brothers, my team and more importantly my family, mum and dad and everyone back in Samoa and here at home. You see Ardie, but there’s a whole whanau behind me. It’s an honour.’’
Savea hopes his approachability will help the younger members of the squad reach out if they are feeling pressure or struggling with the professional environment.
‘‘I’m massive on relationships and connections and that’s just who I am. We all have our strengths and our qualities as leaders and I feel like that is one of them, building relationships.
‘‘It’s about being a good human being, a good person first. That’s something I hold myself to, being kind and being gracious to others.’’
Head coach, Jason Holland, said Savea was a natural leader.
‘‘Ardie has been an integral part of our club for a long time and has the complete respect of everyone.’’
Savea debuted for the Hurricanes in 2013 and this year’s season opener against the Blues will be his 100th Super Rugby match for the franchise.
He made his All Blacks’ debut in 2016. — RNZ