Ardie Savea hails Damian McKenzie and Cam Roigard for dazzling display against Namibia
![Cam Roigard, New Zealand](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2F497587_cam-roigard-new-zealand-sep-2023.webp&w=3840&q=75)
New Zealand's captain Ardie Savea commended his team's "awesome" offensive performance as they dominated Namibia with a 71-3 victory at the Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks put their opening-night loss to hosts France behind them with an emphatic 11-try victory in Toulouse thanks in part to two tries each in the first half from Damian McKenzie and Cam Roigard.
Thereafter New Zealand's backs shared the tries amongst themselves as they put Namibia to the sword to leave them still searching for a first World Cup victory in 23 attempts going back to their debut in 1999.
The bonus-point triumph lifted Savea's side into second place in Pool A behind France, and left the skipper impressed by the way in which McKenzie and Roigard curated a ruthless display of attacking rugby.
"It is a good feeling getting the win after the last result," Savea told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I am very proud of the men having a good week of preparation and getting the win.
"Still a few areas of improvement, Namibia put us under pressure, but we will work on it. Our discipline in defence is one, we gave a few penalties away and we want to eliminate those and be ruthless in that area.
"A few who got their first real cup match tonight and Sam Whitelock getting his milestone.
"Damian McKenzie and Cam Roigard controlled the game well, McKenzie was finding space and Roigard's running game was exploding around the breakdown, it was awesome."
Roigard said that he and McKenzie had done work ahead of the tournament to ensure their link-up play was sharp, the fruits of which could be seen in slippery conditions in Toulouse after a first-half downpour.
"Pretty surreal, the atmosphere was outstanding," he added.
"We're fortunate that our forwards were dominant giving me a good platform to play off. But credit to Namibia they showed a lot of heart and passion.
"I suppose myself and Damian McKenzie have had some training groups together, we are working out how we like to play and his attacking play suits mine so I really enjoyed it tonight."
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