All Blacks ‘not satisfied’ and want more than the Bledisloe Cup
All Blacks stand-in captain Ardie Savea insists his team is never satisfied, despite having retained the Bledisloe Cup after a 38-7 win over the Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It was another blockbuster effort from the three-time world champions, who put together their third win on the bounce this year.
Head coach Ian Foster’s men were particularly clinical against the Wallabies and comfortably outplayed their trans-Tasman rivals.
Always looking for more
Savea claimed whilst the Bledisloe Cup win was special the group will always want more.
“It’s pleasing,” said Savea. “We’re happy as a group, we’ll celebrate and enjoy this occasion and be where our feet are at. But with this group we’re never satisfied. We’re always looking to be better, and there were areas in our game tonight where we need be better.
“That will come on Sunday and Monday and we’ll rebuild the edge there. Every Test match we put this jersey on it’s an honour and a blessing. We’re going to celebrate this. It’s a good group, a special group, and we’re just building, but not satisfied. And we’ll continue to grow and be better.”
A big part of the performance was getting their defence set when Australia did have good territory and possession. Savea was pleased the side managed to keep Eddie Jones’ men at bay.
“We planned for those situations,” added Savea. “We’ve got great leaders in this team and we’re having those little convos in those situations, and we adapt and adjust. Aussie put us under pressure, we felt their ball-carrying, we were riding a few tackles on the back foot.
“But for us to bounce back, to nullify that and address that and win the crucial moments that helped us swing momentum … that was pretty pleasing.”
Fantastic occasion
Savea admits that running out at the famous MCG for such a big Test match with over 80,000 in attendance was a “special” moment.
“It’s one of those moments when you run out and soak it all in,” he said. “Singing the national anthem, you kind of gaze round and pinch yourself that you’re there. And after the game, seeing a lot of Kiwi fans, and taking photos with the Bled … it’s pretty special.
“We play a game of 80 minutes, but those moments after the game, you remember them probably even more, seeing the kids’ smiles and the family get together. It’s pretty special.”
Hurricanes scrum-half Cam Roigard also came off the bench to make his Test debut, a fair reward for a stunning season in Super Rugby Pacific.
“He’ll be delighted,” said the coach. “I talked to him afterwards and the eyes were pretty wide open, playing at the MCG and looking around in a Bledisloe game. I thought he did really well and he should be proud of that.”
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