Just as one champion 7 reaches a milestone...another on the horizon

Ardie Savea, younger (turns 19 this week) brother of Julian, already getting the Michal Jones comparison. Tough way to start a career. He sure does have pace though. Just signed for the Hurricanes.

http://m.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7799939/Ardie-Savea-compared-with-Michael-Jones

Getting a bit of a name for himself around Wellington already.

Has he played for the U20s?

Comparisons with other players are useless. Making your own name is a sign of making it. Until you make it, you might as well be compared to Matt Damon.

Matt...Damon.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Has he played for the U20s?

Comparisons with other players are useless. Making your own name is a sign of making it. Until you make it, you might as well be compared to Matt Damon.

Not sure about u20s but he's done well in the 7s team

I thought this was going to be about Luke Wallace

I'm pretty sure I read he was in the U20 team. Sheesh, tough gig being compared to Jones, lots of expectation on his shoulders, enough weight to end his career before it began!

Seriously though, I'm glad he's a wellingtonian and I've seen a few of his games this season to know there is substance to the hype.

Potentially bolster for the NH tour? Probably not but never say never!

Yeah its just one persons view. He is getting a bit of a rave around here so Im going down to watch them play Naki Saturday at the caketin to see for myself. He Nonu and Julian all hail from Rongotai College.

Julian said of Nonu...'Its great to be playing with one of our 'Old boys'.

Aint youth grand!

Taylorman wrote:Yeah its just one persons view. He is getting a bit of a rave around here so Im going down to watch them play Naki Saturday at the caketin to see for myself. He Nonu and Julian all hail from Rongotai College.

Julian said of Nonu...'Its great to be playing with one of our 'Old boys'.

Aint youth grand!

I think you will find yourself very disappointed with him in that case Taylor.... cause the games on Sunday
Actually he does look good - but it is only ITM cup. There is no need to get too excited about him yet when other players have done it at the Super 15 level. He's got a Hurricanes contract now but its still too early. Give it a couple more years a least. He's got all sorts of players in front of him.

One of my favourite things in rugby is seeing the moment a new star is born.
Saw it with Kirwan when he scored the try for auckland against the lions in 83 when harty plucked him out of marist 3rd grade and Michael Jones when he played one half of an AB trial match just before the world cup.
Been trying to get tape of that one.

Saw it when Cullen starred in HK

Yeah that AB trial Jones was sublime. He was given one of those wildcard trial selections at Hartys recommendation and the rest is history.

He was just everywhere the whole half- cutting loose with carry after carry, then knocking anyone over that moved in defence. He was taken off at half time having 'completely' satisfied the selectors and the crowd booed, wanting to see more.

After he went off all the commentators could talk about in the second half was Jones in the first half and for the next week his name was everywhere. "Did you see Jones on the weekend?...Did I what! kind of thing"

Havnt seen anything like it since...had that Lomus match against England sort of response.

I think him signing with the Canes is just trying to tie him up early as I say if they didn't now, he'd have had plenty of suitors. They already have Karl Lowe and Jack Lam, who provide two strong options there and give young Ardie time to develop.

Possibly true MBTGOG, but if he’s good enough, he’s old enough. We (Wellington) have a good backrow but I feel we need more pace in there to go with Vito. Generally, we’ll play two 6’s Lam and Levave.

In an ideal world our backrow next year will be:

6 Vito
7 Lam, Lowe or Savea (I’d be happy with either as long as Vito and Shields are on the pitch)
8 Shields (the next big NZ 8)

I think Goosens good enough. Just dont think he's old enough in a rugby sense. U20 worlds and half a season with a bottom table sxv side isn't enough to play fresh up against oz and NZ.

Ardie has u20s, NZ sevens and by then a full itm with a title chance side. Plus he has obvious rugby pedigree alongside his brother.

And goosens two years older. Id give goosen tiwo years as long as they don't rush him back too soon again.