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Julian Savea probably woke up to the news that he’d apparently signed a deal with Harlequins this morning with the same reaction as everyone else in the New Zealand rugby community – disbelief.
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He took to Twitter to dispel the rumour quickly, not that he needed to. The likelihood of a deal being done to cover Marland Yarde’s shock exit from the club over just a weekend is ludicrous, made even more fanciful by the fact that he recently re-signed with NZ Rugby for the next two years. However, it’s not hard to see how someone on the other side of the world could jump to this conclusion – right now Savea is unlikely to play for the All Blacks again, and will end up in England or France at some stage in the future. He’s only 27, and this time last year seemed to be a shoe-in to smash the All Black individual try-scoring record.
How a winger that hot got to be left out in the cold is a familiar tale.
I remember being at Julian Savea’s debut match for the All Blacks. It was a beautiful night at Eden Park, back in 2012 when Ireland were an international irrelevance on the All Black record.
He scored three tries that night. They were all brutally beautiful examples of how a young, powerful player stamps his name on the international stage. Savea drew comparisons to Jonah Lomu, especially after he followed it up with a blockbuster 2013 that saw him nominated for World Player of the year.
But, by the 2015 World Cup, cracks were definitely starting to show. Despite returning to his destructive best against France in the All Blacks’ quarterfinal demolition, people were already starting to look to the potential wingers that could take over from Savea in the future. His place in the pecking order became even more apparent at the business end of the 2016 Super Rugby season, when the Hurricanes unceremoniously dropped him to the bench for the entirety of the playoffs.
Such is the life, or at least shelf-life, of an All Black winger. Despite returning to prominence somewhat during the latter part of the season, the future-proofing of the left wing had already been set in motion. The new sensation Rieko Ioane was rewarded for irresistible Super Rugby form and made a Savea-like splash in his first test start against the British & Irish Lions, scoring two tries. Add in the irresistible form of Waisake Naholo, the talent of Nehe Milner-Skudder and the rise of Matt Duffie, and Savea now finds himself in the same spot Malakai Fekitoa did a few months ago.
Despite those set-backs, Savea was poised to finally Doug Howlett’s All Black record of 49 test tries in 2017. But now – like a handful of other famous players, he’s stranded on 46. He’s currently tied for second place on the list along with All Black greats Christian Cullen and Joe Rokocoko. Only two behind them is Jeff Wilson, then comes Jonah Lomu. All of them ended their All Black careers at around the same age, 27, which Savea turned this year.
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His demotion has almost scary historical precedence, both in age and tries. Cullen and Rokocoko both went on to play in Europe, with the latter still enjoying a prolific career at Racing 92. So it’s fair to say that the story that was shut down as quickly as it appeared this morning will definitely pop back up as not-so-Fake-News in due course.
There is one more footnote to all this, if the trend continues and All Black wingers keep getting replaced at this rate.
Historically, while the All Blacks have dominated pretty much every category there is in world rugby, the top individual try scoring one is something a New Zealand player has never had a piece of in the modern era. It would surprise more than a few to know that Englishman Rory Underwood has outscored all All Blacks with 50 test tries, also the fact that Japan have two players in the top five try-scorers of all time. What makes it even more remarkable is that Daisuke Ohata (69 tries) and Hirotoki Onozawa (55) played at the same time on either wing for the Brave Blossoms.
So whenever an All Black does break Howlett’s record, they’ll still have some work to do to get to the very top of the pile. If it’s going to be Savea, it’ll require a massive change in fortune next season.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to comments