Savea is among the 23 players attending an All Blacks North Island camp in Auckland, but can he get back into the side?
Can Julian Savea Get Back into the All Blacks?
A couple of years ago, the thought of Julian Savea not getting into the All Blacks side was unthinkable.
But as of right now, this is definitely the case, as he missed the end of year tour in 2017 and has been on the outside looking in for a while now.
His record still speaks for itself, 46 tries in 54 Tests for the All Blacks, however, the strength and depth of the New Zealand team means he is up against it if he wants to continue his All Black career.
Savea would waltz into any other XV in the world easily, but Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo have held down the wings for New Zealand in recent games, and it appears as if coach Steve Hansen believes they are the future.
On top of those two incredible talents, you have Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie, and until his injury, Nehe Milner-Skudder, who would take up the back three positions. All four of those guys can play in any position in the back-three. Barrett and McKenzie can probably play any position in the back-line which is perhaps why they are getting picked and not Savea, he is possibly too one-dimensional.
Beast: Savea’s try scoring record for the All Blacks is immense (Getty Images)
Despite this, there is reason to be optimistic if you are Savea as he was recently invited to a North Island All Blacks camp.
The camp hosted players who ply their trade for Super Rugby sides, the Auckland Blues, Chiefs, and Wellington Hurricanes. You can see the ridiculously talented list below.
Blues: Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams, Matt Duffie.
Chiefs: Kane Hames, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Nathan Harris.
Hurricanes: Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jordie Barrett.
The inclusion of Savea is a step forward for him, but question still remains, can he work his way back into the All Blacks?
If anyone can do it, the Bus can.
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