Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea asks for better from officials

Dylan Coetzee

A clearly exasperated Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea criticised the standard of refereeing in his side’s Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Crusaders in the most polite way possible.

It’s nothing new for players, captains and coaches to have a go at match officials when they feel a call has gone the wrong way, especially in close matches that hold a lot of significance.

You only have to think back to the Springboks’ Rassie Erasmus during the 2021 Lions series as the perfect example.

Taken out in the air

And Savea certainly had something to complain about as the Hurricanes lost out 24-21 in a nail-biting affair against the Crusaders when it appeared as if the captain was taken out in the air by Scott Barrett at a lineout right at the end of the game.

Referee Brendon Pickerill did not stop play, nor did he refer to the TMO to check the incident. Instead, play continued with Pickerill eventually blowing the final whistle after judging the ball to be unplayable.

A visibly upset Savea wisely took some time to compose himself before addressing the issue after the game.

“I’ve got to take a breath mate. I’m lost for words,” he told Sky TV. “I’ve seen some calls that go the other way but unfortunately it didn’t happen tonight.

“Mate, I’m speechless at the moment, pretty heartbroken.

”We came out here and we wanted to prove a point. The Crusaders, they’re the best team in this competition and I’m proud of my boys’ efforts.

“They just missed out in the end. As a leader, I like to put pressure on, and demand from the officials and make sure they’re doing everything they can to get these calls right.

“At the end of the day, it can come to either-or, and we get an apology the next week but it’s too late. Without saying anything disrespectful, I’d just love to have the officials demand better.”

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