Select Edition

Select Edition

Northern
Southern
Global
NZ
France

What you didn't see: The pain behind Ardie Savea's crucial play that saved All Blacks from defeat

By Online Editors
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

It was the crucial play that saved the All Blacks from a possible defeat to the Wallabies and footage has shown the pain New Zealand number eight Ardie Savea was going through in the closing stages at Sky Stadium.

Sky Sport's player cam was focused on Savea for Sunday's test including the key moment when he turned the ball over with the Wallabies just metres out from the tryline with time up on the clock.

Australia were close to the posts and in prime drop goal territory when Savea pinched the ball which led to an All Blacks counter-attack and almost stealing a late win down the other end of the field.

Healthspan Elite Performance of the Week | Bledisloe Cup | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Shortly after the turnover, Savea struggled with cramp as play continued before teammate Anton Lienert-Brown checked on him.

The test continued for an extra five minutes after the turnover with Savea again on the spot when the Wallabies turned the ball over to begin another All Blacks counter.

Savea led the match in defenders beaten, after slipping through five Wallabies tackles.

Both sides went on to draw the match 16-all, and are set to face off again in Auckland this Sunday in the second test of a four-match series.