New Zealand

sandal says...

I suppose it's natural for Savea to say that he would be happy on either wing. After all, he wants to be selected.

But few wingers over the years have been equally happy on either wing, and many great players on one side of the park have been ordinary, even poor, on the other.

Savea has improved remarkably this season, playing on the left wing. Last year, when he played on the right, he started as a know-nothing greenhorn and ended as a know-nothing greenhorn. I dismissed him as someone who had been an oversized bully while passing through the grades. Well, he's now a much better player than that.

Although you would think the areas where he has improved this year -- security under the high ball, retaining possession in the tackle, better awareness of the teammates around him, not throwing crazy passes -- have nothing to do with whichever wing he is playing on, it is just possible he feels a lot more comfortable on the left wing and has responded accordingly.

This guy is performing so well, I hope the selectors allow him to play on the wing of his choice.

One thing, though -- if Savea is in the side the ABs are going to need a winger-fullback in the mould of Cory Jane and Doug Howlett on the other, because a good first-five such as O'Gara or Sexton could yet show Savea to be a headless chook. That might mean bringing Ben Smith in to the mix.

Posted 04:59 30th May 2012

MaoriAsh says...

This guy is really someone to look out for,GREAT PLAYER!

Posted 09:58 29th May 2012