Ardie Savea says the Hurricanes and Blues have honored fallen giants Inga Tuigamala and Joeli Vidiri in the most appropriate way possible – producing a game worthy of them under the Super Rugby Pacific banner.
The rugby world has been in mourning over the past two days as it came to terms with the passing of Tuigamala and Vidiri, two Pasifika men who left a lasting impression on the game and their communities.
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Ardie Savea scores the winning try for the Hurricanes against the Blues.
It was not lost on Hurricanes captain Savea after a thrilling 33-32 win over the Blues in Dunedin on Saturday.
“First and foremost, I send my love and condolences to the families and the rugby community,” Savea said.
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“They are legends in the game. For a lot of people hearing the news is quite heartbreaking. It’s quite sad, but we send our love to the families.
“It’s great to be here, playing football and honoring them.”
In many ways, the game was the perfect tribute to Tuigamala and Vidiri, two players who paved the way for others.
Pasifika standard bearer Ardie Savea scored the winning try. Salesi Rayasi, a big wing with Fijian-Samoan heritage, scored three tries. Julian Savea, the iconic power winger of the modern era, was a huge influence in the final quarter, while Caleb Clarke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also provided eye-catching moments.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald also paid a personal tribute. “We wore black armbands out of respect,” he said.
“Joeli is in a lot of the videos that we play when we watch some of the Blues legends of the past,
“Inga is a bit earlier, but I used to watch a lot of Inga growing up and he was still a really smiling assassin. It is a truly sad day for the families of these two men and for rugby.
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Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi celebrates after scoring a try with Ruben Love.
Yet despite the sad circumstances, the game was uplifting. Savea’s winning try ended the barely believable last 10 minutes when it appeared the Blues had either run out of time or ran out of fuel.
But Savea was convinced that the game was never beyond their reach.
“Not at all,” he said. “I’ve been in a lot of those situations before with the Canes and the ABs, and it’s just learning to stay calm in those situations, and being able to bring the boys up and focus on the next task, and to do it with intention.”
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Julian Savea charges in contact against the Blues on Saturday.
Savea hailed the influence and leadership of his older brother Julian, who has written a new chapter in his career history since returning from France.
“If anyone went through the wringer, it’s the bus,” Savea said. “To see him come back from France and to see him work hard and do mahi…it shows on the pitch.”
As for her last try, Savea admitted it was a bit of a blur. “To be honest mate, I just pinned my ears back and just ran.”
Full-back Jordie Barrett was a nervous onlooker for the final 20 minutes, having been substituted following his 80-minute shift last week.
Barrett said he’s seen the Hurricanes’ resilience grow over the past few years, while new No. 13 Bailyn Sullivan – one of the best on the night – made an immediate impression on him.
“It took me about half an hour back unit session on the first day of pre-season, looking at this boy and thinking, ‘What do we have here?’ said Barret.
“Just an amazing athlete. Fast, great skill set, awesome distributor as we saw last quarter, and just a good young kid. We have a good one there.
