1
'Send him for many reasons': Ex-All Black first five backs Julian Savea for All Blacks XV
By Ned Lester
Ex-All Blacks first five Stephen Donald has thrown his support behind Julian Savea for a roster spot in the All Blacks XV who are set to tour Europe for two tests in November.
Savea played 54 tests for the All Blacks between 2012 and 2017, winning the World Cup in 2015.
Affectionately know as "The bus", Savea returned to New Zealand and Super Rugby after a brief stint at Toulon in 2020, making no secret of his ambitions for re-selection in the All Blacks.
However, with the youthful talent of Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Leicester Faianga'anuku and Sevu Reece making up the All Blacks wing stocks, Savea's ambition looks to have fallen short - despite some vintage outings for the Hurricanes.
Donald told SENZ's The Run Home that Savea would make an invaluable asset to the All Blacks new secondary team.
“Send him … send him for so many reasons,” Donald said.
“Send him because winger-wise, he couldn’t be that far out of the reckoning.
“Secondly, (if) you’ve got a team like that that you’re sending away, imagine having one of our greatest ever a part of it?"
The selection debate can be swung depending on the purpose New Zealand Rugby see for the new representative squad.
The philosophy has been communicated as a development team, with NZR calling it a "high-performance pathway to the All Blacks" but also referring to the team as the next "tier" of talent rather than the next generation.
"It'd be fascinating what way they go with that," Donald continued. "If it wasn't World Cup next year, would it be full of 21, 22 year olds that might be the future of the All Blacks?
"I'd like to see it not, I'd like to see it be a genuine, 'you're next cab off the rank, you deserve to go on this trip and play these games.' so, it'll be interesting to see."
Blues coach Leon McDonald was announced as head coach of the team this week and will be joined in the coaches box by Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen.
Savea's experience and versatility offers real food for thought for McDonald and co in a selection field ripe with talent and form on display weekly across the NPC.
On the other hand, McDonald could be instructed to select a younger roster with eyes on the future, as NZR's Head of High Performance Mike Anthony said:
“The quality of these matches will present an ideal challenge and development opportunity to experience different playing styles and get exposure to overseas touring. To play against international opposition, in front of large, passionate crowds is invaluable for our next tier of talent a year out from RWC 2023.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
No Barrett or Snyman as Leinster roll out 6'10, 138kg giant against Sh
3
Test rookie Dylan Richardson to make move to Scotland
4
Leinster lining up Springbok to replace Jordie Barrett
5
Latest Comments
Important win for Ulster.
Just something that the article picture brings up.
The Stormers defender has no chance of getting the player or ball. Yet he slides in with the boot. Now Balacoume avoids the collision by twisting his body to touch down.
But it seems to me that in the act of scoring a try the defender generally is allowed a free illegal hit on the try scorer. The objective is to intimidate the opponent who knows a hit is coming and might err. Or else its just to take the easy shot at giving a player a blow without being punished.
You see players, rolling over other players heads, no arms tackles, feet first, knees first slides (Liam Williams take a bow). Why can’t one referee do the right thing and punish these ‘always illegal’ tackles?
This isn’t a swipe at Stormers by the way, the picture just brought it to mind.
Go to commentsI was the subject of a cryptocurrency heist. Some amount of bitcoin was stolen from my wallet and diverted to an unpermitted account. My wallet management was informed, however, they had me wait a week before responding through email. They didn’t offer any assistance; alternatively, they mentioned that my phone might have been compromised and told me to get in touch with the authorities who couldn't provide any solution to recover my bitcoin. When I was browsing through the internet trying to find a solution to get my stolen bitcoin back, I discovered a team of bitcoin recovery experts called Wizard James Recovery company. I then decided to contact them for assistance in getting my stolen money back. I have nothing but praise for Wizard James Recovery company because they were able to assist me in recovering the money that had been stolen. With the use of their sophisticated tools, Wizard James Recovery was able to determine how the transaction was carried out. I have my money back and I am very thankful to Wizard James Recovery company for their amazing service. If you have any issues related to mine. Kindly contact them via email. (wizardjamesrecovery (@) usa (.) com)
Go to comments