Ardie Savea apologises for throat-slitting gesture

Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea has apologised for a throat-slitting action made during his side's recently concluded Super Rugby game against Melbourne Rebels.

Savea was sin-binned in the 40th minute of the game for making the gesture towards Rebels half back Ryan Louwrens. Apparently, the Hurricanes skipper scored two tries in the opening half-hour of the game as they went on to beat Rebels 39-33.

"I can understand the fans are furious with the gesture that I made," he said after the game.

"It's just a heat of the moment kind of thing, you know. It's footy, but I understand kids are watching us.

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

Even though, he admitted that he need to improve his action, Savea questioned the yellow-card decision of the referee which came after Reece Hodge went complaining to referee James Doleman.

"It's just normal banter in the game," Savea added.

"For me, to get a yellow card for a push and shove, that's just where rugby's going. I've got to be better, we're trying to clean up the game. I understand... there's no excuse for me, I've got to be better."