Ardie Savea suspension: All Blacks star cops one-game Super Rugby ban for throat-slitting gesture

Liam O'Loughlin

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Ardie Savea suspension: All Blacks star cops one-game Super Rugby ban for throat-slitting gesture image

Ardie Savea has been handed a one-game suspension by Super Rugby officials, following an unsavoury moment during the Hurricanes win over the Rebels.

The 29-year-old was given a yellow card after a push and shove on the field, which ended in Savea taunting an opposition player with a throat-slitting gesture.

Savea was apologetic following the game and admitted it was an 'out of character moment' from the All Blacks star. 

“I can understand the fans are furious over the gesture I made," he told Stan Sport.

"It’s just a heat of the moment kind of thing – it’s footy but I understand kids are watching us.

"We’re in the heat of the moment and usually that’s out of character for me, so I put my hand up first and I apologise for that."

Watch the incident and Savea's apology below.

The star flanker will miss the Hurricanes' next Super Rugby match after being found guilty of breaching SANZAAR Disciplinary Rule 6.1 on Tuesday night. 

"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Judicial Committee found the foul play did not breach the Red Card threshold," Judicial Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton said. 
 
"With respect to sanction the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a Warning as it was close to, but did not breach the Red Card threshold.

"The Foul Play Review Committee conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, and oral submissions from his legal representative, Mr Aaron Lloyd.
 
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee ruled, after considering a number of factors, including the guidance of World Rugby Regulation 17 Appendix 4, and due to the nature of the Player’s persistent offending, with both the Yellow Card and the Warning being issued for unsportsmanlike play, that an appropriate sanction for the Player would be a suspension of 1 week.
 
"That was accepted by the player, and the player is therefore suspended for 1 week, up to and including Saturday 11 March 2023.”

Savea will miss Saturday night's clash with the Blues before returning against the Waratahs on March 17th. 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.