Julian Savea showed why he can make something as an option at 12
It’s widely accepted the All Blacks have a positional need to fill at second five, in terms of the variety of player types available to select from.
Under Steve Hansen, Sonny Bill Williams was almost always picked to play the Springboks when fit. His big frame at 1.91m and 108kg could handle the South African midfield, both in defence and attack.
This type of 12 is sorely lacking in New Zealand right now, as David Havili is more of skilled playmaking option and Quinn Tupaea is still cutting his teeth. While Ngani Laumape isn’t of Williams’ size, he possessed the type of power needed to bend back the defensive line of most defences.
The most experienced pair, Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown, have also both been used at 12 and 13 but neither you would say are power running midfielders.
Against the most physical of tier-one defences, the likes of France, South Africa and England, the All Blacks don’t have a power option to call upon and this is where the need lies.
2021 showed they cannot expect to be successful trying to fit round pegs into square holes at second five, asking Havili to truck up carries by himself into top tier defences. It was a turnover party for the opposition in 2022 as set-piece launch after launch failed miserably.
Julain Savea, at 1.92m, has the type of frame of a 12 who can carry hard and bend a defensive line when needed. At his peak, ‘The Bus’ made a name for himself for running over people. At 31-years-old, he doesn’t need to completely sit people down, he just needs to carry hard enough to carry defenders over the gain line.
Is he completely out of the equation to be considered to provide what the All Blacks are missing?
While it may be a long shot to suggest Julian Savea will be picked to play for the All Blacks again, in the last twenty minutes against the Crusaders he had the opportunity to play at second five in a rejigged backline and impressed.
Peter Umaga-Jensen started the game at 12 as the Hurricanes are trying to find a way to play both Billy Proctor and Umaga-Jensen, who are both outside centres.
Umaga-Jensen is a brilliant supporting line runner and unfortunately that might count against him as a second five. The reason being he is not going to break the line much but his natural instinct is to try and make something happen.
Against the Crusaders the Hurricanes anchored much of their set-piece attack around the 12 as the primary playmaker. They gave Umaga-Jensen early ball from 10 and gave him options to overload the far side.
The first play resulted in an execution error, spilling the ball in contact, but we saw from this play the tendency to bounce slightly to the outside. Umaga-Jensen looked to hit the outside shoulder of Crusader first five Fergus Burke.
If you want to preserve space for the outside players, staying square is key. If the 12 and 13 are to tighten up the line, the angle from both has to be slightly against the grain, at least at the end of the run.
The second run is similar, a slight drift to the outside and some footwork to get on the outside shoulder. He is held up by Havili which disrupts the momentum, although the Hurricanes do get a penalty advantage.
Despite the slight drift in his line, he shaped to pass very early before trying some footwork and committing to the run. He did not consider the options out the back despite getting the picture that the Hurricanes wanted.
Braydon Ennor (13) turned in, sitting on Du’Plessis Kirifi’s line. With four Hurricanes backs coming around the corner, the opportunity is on to use the numbers but Umaga-Jensen has not left his options open.
He committed to the run way too early before ducking into the contact right when the pass out the back needed to be made.
This is why Umaga-Jensen will need time to adjust playing at second five, particularly with plays built around the 12 like this.
A more compact, simpler approach is required that keeps his options open. There is less time to make decisions so keeping it simple, running with the ball in two hands and staying square is a necessity.
He is the designed playmaker on the play, not a line runner, although that is where his strengths lie. He needs to demonstrate some ball-playing ability moving forward to successfully move in one position.
It’s more of the same on the third attempt, although he busts through for a nice strong carry, he cramps the outside support by attacking the outside shoulder and doesn’t consider playing out the back.
Braydon Ennor (13) is again drawn into the line of the loose forward, this time Ardie Savea (8).
Ennor and Havili end up both covering Savea, a defensive mistake the Hurricanes did not take advantage of.
When Julian Savea moved into 12 to replace Umaga-Jensen, the first play called yielded a try to reserve back Bailyn Sullivan, who came on as the right wing.
This time the play was direct ball from halfback to second five from the lineout maul. Savea showed his distribution skills by staying square and whipping the ball wide early to his fullback Jordie Barrett.
Although it is Barrett that made something happen to create the try, Savea did what was required by keeping things simple and making an early decision to release the backs. They immediately profit.
Savea has shown glimpses of good ball-playing since his return to New Zealand that could suit his transition to 12. He isn’t looking to do it all himself and understands how to square up and commit bodies into contact to free up outside support runners.
Julian Savea’s handling skills are excellent.
He scored one of the Hurricanes’ three tries against the Crusaders, but also helped to create the space for the other two — in both of these sequences, he squares up just before the tackle and times his release of the ball perfectly: pic.twitter.com/dvaYx6WXJw
— The Chase Rugby (@thechaserugby) April 11, 2021
Yet as a crash running option, Savea still knows how to make the gain line to set up a decent platform which is missing from the All Blacks at 12.
Savea better suits what the Hurricanes are trying to achieve in attack at 12, while Umaga-Jensen is actually the better outside centre option. A Savea-Umaga-Jensen midfield combination would be intriguing.
At 31-years-old, Savea isn’t likely to make the All Blacks as a right winger, but he does present an interesting option if he is afforded the time to develop at 12, which fits a need they have.
The question is whether the Hurricanes are prepared to give him some starts, otherwise there will only be the odd cameo in the last twenty minutes or so. That won’t be enough to force consideration into the All Blacks.
To make it back into the All Blacks as a second five there are other areas that Savea needs to address, such as defence. This simply cannot happen at international level if he is to be a candidate:
Although he was defending in the first five channel here, there will be frequent traffic and multiple reads required of him at the next level as a midfielder.
He can’t get beat one-on-one all ends up, which is why he needs the time at 12 for the Hurricanes during the season to prove he is up to it because he has the ability on the other side of the ball to provide something they are missing.
If the Hurricanes continue to use him as a second five late in games, it will be interesting to track his progress as the season goes on.
Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments