Julian Savea

[ChargerWA]

Is this kid the next big thing in Rugby?

I haven't seen him mentioned much on the forums, but everytime I see him play I am blown away by his power and speed. If he keeps developing into the power winger, he could be Lomu MkII.

 

[Moono75]

I thought Nalaga was Lomu MkII. I was so wrong.

Savea is definatley on the rise. Another potential AB for the Wallabies to contend with for the next 10 years.

 

[tranquility]

Savea has been tagged as the next Lomu in NZ since the U20s and maybe even as far back as high school... His dominance of the U20s tournament was incredible.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Isn't any winger of size touted as the next Lomu?

 

[TOCC]

He has been the next big thing for the past 2 years...really shone at the U20 JWC

 

[spectator]

He has been the next big thing for the past 2 years...really shone at the U20 JWC

Was being touted as something special as an NZ schools rep in 2007. Certainly looked like something special scoring that try last night.

 

[qwerty51]

ABs won't pick him

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Does he have island heritage? They'll pick him for one test

 

[teach]

ABs won't pick him

First All Black Training squad for 2012. To be trimmed to 30, so still may get dropped. But with Kahui dislocating his shoulder his chances are better.

TRAINING SQUAD
Charlie Faumuina, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock, Samuel Whitelock., Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson.

 

[Bon]

Does he have island heritage? They'll pick him for one test

Why would he play for an Island team? He was born in Wellington. At 106kg he isn't near as big as Jonah was at that age. Still a very impressive runner.

 

[Cutter]

First All Black Training squad for 2012. To be trimmed to 30, so still may get dropped. But with Kahui dislocating his shoulder his chances are better.

TRAINING SQUAD
Charlie Faumuina, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Ben Tameifuna, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Victor Vito, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Luke Whitelock, Samuel Whitelock., Tamati Ellison, Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson.

A lot of new names in there. Be interesting to see the Boks squad as well. It might be a relatively even Four Nations (forget its name).

 

[en_force_er]

A lot of new names in there. Be interesting to see the Boks squad as well. It might be a relatively even Four Nations (forget its name).

Link please

 

[tigerland12]

Kerr-Barlow is a good pick, fiesty and quick around the ruck. Although I suspect Andy Ellis is the forerunner for the 9 jersey.

I think it is a bit of a disgrace that Liam Messam continues to be overlooked, I understand brining through younger guys for experience, but Shields and L.Whitelock arent even on the bench for their sides some weeks.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Robbie Fruean, Liam Messam and Andre Taylor are about the three most unlucky people to miss out.

 

[tranquility]

Tamati Ellison is an absolute dynamo..

 

[en_force_er]

I think it's fair to say Liam Messam is NZ's Richard Brown, great Super rugby player but has consistently under-performed at test level.

Whitelock/Shields are interesting picks, they'll probably just be running opposition all camp. Good experiance I guess.

I think Robbie Fruean, Liam Messam and Andre Taylor are about the three most unlucky people to miss out.

Yeah 100%. Maybe they don't suit NZ's gameplan, they do like a distributer at 13 nowadays.

 

[Braveheart81]

From the seasons they've played, I would have thought Andre Taylor was more deserving of a reserve fullback spot than Ben Smith.

 

[tigerland12]

I think it's fair to say Liam Messam is NZ's Richard Brown, great Super rugby player but has consistently under-performed at test level.

Biggest compliment ever paid to Richard Brown

I think Taylor isn't that good defensively, great in open space but I can understand him not being seen as a test player. And i assume the pecking order before Kahui got injured was 1-Smith 2-Kahui 3-Ellison 4- Fruen for the outside center spot. Which makes sense, all those players are performing better then Fruen.

 

[en_force_er]

From the seasons they've played, I would have thought Andre Taylor was more deserving of a reserve fullback spot than Ben Smith.

Smith's a utility, 13-15 (maybe even 12). Handy on any test bench.

 

[Braveheart81]

It will be very interesting who the 10 and 12 are.

Aaron Cruden has done just about everything possible this season to suggest that he should be 10 and maybe Carter has to play 12.