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'See you soon' - Speculation growing of a Hurricanes return for Savea following Ben Lam's departure to France
By Online Editors
The Hurricanes 34-32 win over the Crusaders was Ben Lam's 50th but also last game with the club. The bulking winger confirmed earlier in the year he had signed for French club Bordeaux, and his new contract means he has to depart Super Rugby Aotearoa early.
Lam's departure leaves the Hurricanes short of a left wing, with a potential return for former All Black Julian Savea gaining traction after a tweet by Ardie Savea.
The younger Savea replied to a comment by his brother with 'see you soon', with a few online quick to connect the dots with Lam's departure.
Julian Savea has been training with a local Auckland club side since returning from France and settling in the city of sails, but has not been playing any games.
With his next move unknown, a return to the Hurricanes would see the return of one of Super Rugby's most prolific try scorers, with 50 tries in his seven seasons in the capital.
Ardie Savea's cryptic tweet may just be an indication that his older brother is planning to visit his hometown, but many Hurricanes fans are hoping an on field reunion is in the works.
If Savea can return to help the Hurricanes during the final weeks of Super Rugby Aotearoa, he would join Nehe Milner-Skudder and Dan Carter as the third All Black to potentially rejoin a Super Rugby club.
The Hurricanes have no shortage of outside backs with Salesi Rayasi, Vince Aso, Jonah Lowe and Billy Proctor in the squad, all yet to receive much game time.
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Latest Comments
But he chose rightly or wrongly to play for Tonga. If he wanted to play for the ABs why didn’t he hold off?
Go to comments“A succession of recent ex-players going straight back into the game as coaches in their early 40’s would prob be enough to kill it stone-dead. Innovation would die a death.”
Would it? I do think one of the major differences between rugby and most other sports - which we’ve been overlooking - is the degree to which players are expected to lead team meetings & analysis sessions and the like. Someone like Owen Farrell has basically been an assistant coach already for ten years - and he’s been so under a variety of different head coaches with different expectations and playing styles.
“The most interesting ppl I have met in the game have all coached well into their sixties and they value the time and opportunity they have had to reflect and therefore innovate in the game. That’s based on their ability to compare and contrast between multiple eras.”
I don’t doubt that that’s true. But having interesting insights doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best able to inspire a team, or the best at managing the backroom staff.
“Wayne Smith winning the WWC in his mid sixties three years ago prob means nothing to you but it meant a lot to him. It took him back to the roots of is own coaching journey.”
I don’t doubt that! But I don’t think coaches should be hired on the basis that it means a lot to them.
“The likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Wayne Bennett and Andy Reid all have a tale to tell. You should open your ears and listen to it!”
I agree! Never have I ever suggested otherwise!
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