Julian Savea has eyes firmly set on midfield role in the Mitre 10 Cup
Julian Savea returned to New Zealand earlier this year following a two-season stint in France and was promptly drafted into the Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa squad. Now, the 30-year-old hopes to earn a fulltime contract with his former side for next year but first, he’ll have to prove himself in the Mitre 10 Cup.
Savea last featured for the Wellington Lions in 2017 when he took over as interim captain as the side fought their way back into the Premiership division.
A lot as changed for Savea in the last three years – including his position of choice.
Speaking to James Marshall on Marshall’s What a Lad podcast, Savea revealed that he now feels more at home in the midfield than in the outside backs, where he first made a name for himself.
It wasn’t until Savea moved to Toulon at the end of 2018 that the wrecking ball first had the opportunity to play in the centres, and that was only due to the team losing players to the national side during the international season.
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“For me, [playing in the midfield] wasn’t a part of the plan,” Savea told Marshall.
“I debuted on the wing [for Toulon], we played like the first 10, 15 games then the Six Nations came along … Obviously, all the French boys went off and we lost a few internationals for Fiji and stuff like that. There were a couple of spots [in the centres] and coach was like, ‘Yo, how do you feel about playing in the midfield? Would you play 13 or 12?’
“I was like ‘Probably 12, I’ll just carry all day.’ Since then, I started staying there.”
While Savea was brought into the Hurricanes only once left wing Ben Lam had completed his time with the team and departed for the Gallagher Premiership in England, it appears that Savea was as much a replacement for the injured Ngani Laumape.
Savea wasn’t required to suit up for the Hurricanes, instead featuring for his former club in Wellington, Oriental Rongotai.
Savea ran out in the 12 jersey last weekend and is playing under the watchful eye of former All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu.
“I was playing 12, so just trying to do a bit of carry and distributing … but everyone was like ‘run the ball!'” Savea said.
When asked by Marshall about his preference moving forward, Savea was adamant that he now sees himself as a centre first and foremost.
“I’m liking the midfield. I would love to play in the midfield [for Mitre 10 Cup]. I’m getting a few pointers from one of the best 12s in the world.”
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While it was on the left wing that Savea announced himself first to the New Zealand public and then on the world stage, the damaging ball-runner is accustomed to having change positions and was originally a right wing specialist.
“Under 20s, I was a right winger. ITM Cup, I was a right winger,” Savea said. “Got to the Canes, first year I was still right winger then 2012, CJ [Cory Jane] moved from fullback to right winger and he said ‘get over there!’ I was like ‘Sweet, respect the elders!’
“Went over [to the right] and the rest was history. The difference was, being on the right I had a right-foot step. Being on the left, I had no left-foot step so I just had to run. That’s just how I manoeuvred.
Savea is comfortable admitting that he’d still like to play rugby in New Zealand at the highest level.
“Since being back, training hard and being back in the environment with the Canes, it sort of sparked a fuse,” he told Marshall.
“I just really want to get back into things and I think I’m leaning towards wanting to get back to the best. If I’m at my best then I definitely have a chance of being in that All Blacks jersey again.”
That’s a bold call from Savea and New Zealanders will get the opportunity to see whether the 2o15 World Cup winner still has what it takes to cut it at the highest level when he runs out in the Mitre 10 Cup in the coming weeks – though which team he’ll line up for is still a mystery.
Savea and his family are now living on Auckland’s North Shore but Savea’s name was nowhere to be found in Harbour’s recent squad announcement. Auckland and Wellington are both possible destinations for the man with the highest try strike-rate in tier one international rugby.
For Auckland, Savea could combine with the likes of TJ Faiane, Tanielu Tele’a and possibly Rieko Ioane in the midfield while Wellington have young Hurricanes Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor on their books.
With squads set to be finalised in the coming days, Savea’s short-term future will be confirmed soon. How Savea’s long-term future and his return to New Zealand rugby plays out is anyone’s guess.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% 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.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 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
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 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.
12 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.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 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,
12 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 commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments