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'Huge news' - All Blacks Savea surgery boost
By Online Editors
All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea could be back from knee surgery earlier than first thought, according to his former Wellington Hurricanes coach.
Savea, who was named last week as New Zealand Rugby's Player of the Year, was initially expected to be out of action for up to six months.
However former Hurricanes coach, John Plumtree, told reporters in Auckland the dynamic loose forward could be back within four months.
Plumtree was elevated into an assistant coaching role with the New Zealand team under new coach Ian Foster on Thursday.
"His operation wasn't as bad as they thought it was going to be, and we're hoping he's going to be right back into the Hurricanes set-up in about three-and-a-half months," Plumtree told Stuff Media.
"That's huge news for the Hurricanes because he is such an important player for them ... they won't rush him back if he's not right.
"Initially it was looking close to 5-6 months which is close to season ending. But it's not going to be that long."
Plumtree's move to the All Blacks continued a tumultuous off-season for the 2016 Super Rugby champions after influential All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett chose to join the Auckland Blues.
Savea's injury, which he sustained in the Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to England, and Plumtree's move to the All Blacks, only added to their woes.
Plumtree's former assistant Jason Holland was promoted to the head coaching role at the Hurricanes.
Holland said that a possible transition had been discussed over the last few weeks as they looked ahead to the 2020 Super Rugby season.
"We never really knew what was going to happen," Holland told reporters.
"Nailing our stuff here between Plum and myself has been our focus and that's made this transition a lot easier."
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Latest Comments
I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
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