'You've got to consider him': Why Julian Savea could be in line for an All Blacks re-call
Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons believes Hurricanes wing Julian Savea has put himself back in line for a national re-call, four years after his last appearance for the All Blacks.
Savea is back in New Zealand playing in Super Rugby Aotearoa for the Wellington franchise he departed in 2018 following a slump in form that saw him dumped from the All Blacks.
After two tumultuous seasons with French Top 14 club Toulon, the 30-year-old returned to his homeland last year to play for Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup.
Savea’s performances in the national provincial championship were enough for the Hurricanes to re-sign their former star man on a one-year deal.
Since returning to the field for the Hurricanes, the 54-test wing, who scored 46 tries in his international career, has started in both of his side’s opening two matches of the season after playing throughout the pre-season.
His performances have caught the eye of Parsons, who told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod that Savea deserves to be considered for national selection on the basis of his efforts early on in the season.
When asked how many wings are in contention for All Blacks spots following the match-winning performance of Highlanders wing Jona Nareki against the Chiefs on Friday, Parsons name-dropped Savea as a potential contender.
“They’re starting to load up, because Sevu’s coming back into form,” Parsons said.
“You’ve got Caleb Clarke, you’ve got George Bridge, who’s rehabbing, probably watching going ‘Strewth, I’m under the pump here, I need to get back out on the field’.
“You’ve got Will Jordan, who just pops back up and reminds you he’s epic. Even though the try [he dropped over the line against the Hurricanes] was disallowed, he just sprints past everyone.
“I know Julian’s come back, but you have to consider him. I know there’s people out there saying he’s past it, but I don’t think they’re watching. Just watch him.”
Parsons reasoned that Savea’s work rate, physical condition, aerial skill and ball-carrying have all been impressive and that he should remain in the Hurricanes’ starting side despite calls for reserve wing Salesi Rayasi to be promoted from the bench.
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“I think Julian’s playing some great footy and he has to stay in the No. 11, personally for me,” Parsons said.
“Reason being because of his kick-chase efforts, his aerial skills around not only the box kick, but, as we saw for [Peter] Umaga-Jensen’s try, it shows the physical condition he’s in, the way he’s getting up in the air and winning that air battle.
“Not only for that try, but a lot of those box kicks and getting that ball back, and then just his work off the ball and finding touches, and then direct carries off set piece, we know he’s so good at.
“He’s always getting that gain line carry and he’s doing the work around there. You can only get the ball that you’re delivered and, for me, both games he’s shown plenty.”
Parsons, himself a two-test All Black, expanded on why he thought Savea was performing well upon his return to New Zealand rugby, noting he believed Savea looked to be happier than when he left for France.
During his time with Toulon, Savea was subjected to public criticism from then-club owner Mourad Boudjellal for a lack of form on multiple occasions.
Parsons, who retired from professional rugby in January, suggested being away from the environment and closer to his family in New Zealand may have contributed to Savea’s performances.
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“I don’t think he’s come back as an improved player, I think he’s come back as a settled and happy man off the field and I just think his happiness and his joy of his time with his family and being back with his wider family back in New Zealand,” he said.
“I think it has just emulated on him. He just looks happy. I don’t know, that’s just me looking there. He’s always had the rugby skill set. I don’t think he’s an improved rugby player, he’s always had that naturally.
“He’s just come back and he just is playing with, I don’t know, it looks like a freedom and a real want to do well for that jersey and a real want to back-up his brother [Ardie Savea] as a skipper.”
Parsons added that the older Savea brother may have a “chip” on his shoulder to prove wrong those who doubted him at the time of his exit from New Zealand three years ago.
“I think he will command that respect now because once he left here and went over to France, and obviously it was well-documented, the owner or whatever went on over there, and then coming back here, he just seems at peace.
“I don’t know. He just seems a lot happier, and that’s certainly shown in the way he’s playing.”
After losing both of their first two matches against the Blues and Crusaders this season, the Hurricanes will have a bye before playing the Chiefs in Wellington next Saturday.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments