Julian Savea: confidence = assuredness

There are some players who have all the physical attributes but lack that rugby awareness up top like Sione Lauaki. There are some players who have a natural cockiness but who are confidence players like Carlos Spencer or Quade Cooper. There are some players who back themselves and just have a strong mental attitude that makes it look easy like Wilkinson or Carter. Then there are players who have to work hard at the mental aspects of the game like Jerome Kaino but allow their natural physical talent to shine through because they learn the art of mental fortitude.

Julian Savea had an impressive debut against Ireland. To score a hat-trick on debut is a great to start your international career but much like a person who visits the casino for the first time and wins large, it can also be very dangerous. You can quickly believe that test rugby is easy and not something you have to work hard at each time you go out and play. Savea learned that very quickly as he had a game to forget in his second game and was dropped for the third test.

He got his chance though in the game against Argentina away and had a great game. At the moment the only player at the same number of tests who has a better record than his current 133 strike rate is Joe Rokocoko. He is doing better than Jonah Lomu, Jeff Wilson and Doug Howlett and is equal with Christian Cullen and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

What is pleasing to hear for me is his growing confidence. When he was interviewed in Rome with three cameras, the previous Julian Savea would've clammed up. The Polynesian mentality is the group is more important than the individual. When the spotlight comes on them as individuals, they generally feel shy and dismissive of their individual efforts. That's a great attitude to have in a team sport like rugby but it can be a double-edged sword. You can't say to somebody like Savea we need a huge game from you and go out there and score a brace of tries. Part of the reason for Graham Henry's success is that he recognised the cultural differences in his players. He could say something like that to Richie McCaw and he would get a big game out of him. But players like Nonu and Savea, it is better to emphasise the importance of doing your best for your team mates and playing well for the people around you.

When Savea gathered that chip from Carter against Scotland last week, he still had a lot to do. But part of his growing confidence was illustrated with what he did next. He took on the defender and stepped inside and out and ran straight for the try line. We know the Black Bus has pace and power but what you also need is belief in yourself and the confidence to try things out. Some players are born with that inner confidence and some players have to work on it. Savea has recovered from the disappointment of his second test and still has a lot to improve on. But what makes me think is that he can be a star for the future is that he looks to be increasingly comfortable at this level and knows that he belongs there but still has plenty of work. The hunger to learn and the determination to play well for your mates is what you want. To dazzle and show off your physical talents is not what's required. It's being the best player you can be for your team mates around you. I'm going to be very interested to see his performance today because if he hits his straps but keeps his head down at the same time, he's got a bright future ahead of him.

Yeah hes starting to understand more about where he fits into the side and last week looked like hes been there forever. Hes running great lines and youre right about the confidence. I recall Iceman and especially Inga being so camera shy he could hardly utter a word. Now you cant shut Inga up sometimes.

Good to see him come off his wing and set up two tries before he got his double. Didn't have much ball in open play because Italian side came up in the line so fast and shut us down in midfield. But he looked for work and he should be starting next week.

Looks great doesnt he. None of the hestitation of earlier in the year, the embarrassed looks etc. With Jane, who also made some brilliant bursts we must have the 2 sharpest wings in the business- certainly as finishers.

I've learned from this year you'll rarely get the perfect game but also that you don't need them. What you need is to spot and make the most of those key moments and that's what these guys do well. We can push and shove and jump like with the best of them, but stealing those key moments is what makes the difference.

I pointed him out some time ago as a potential All Black great. I was disappointed in his first test effort though, and to be honest I firmly believe you can tell everything from a guys first couple of tests.

You've nailed it on that confidence in his ability is his issue.

In the first test he broke free after just scoring a try and had two guys between him and the line, he hesitated, unsure whether to go for it or look for support. In the end he did nothing, got tackled and turned over.

I keep seeing this hesitancy in him and I don't think he's going to shake it. You see the same failing across the board in mediocre sides like Scotland: every one hesitates. Collectively the few fractions of a second lost add up to a mess. In the ABs it stands out more because there is no little hesitation.

Another player who suffered from the same confidence issue was Isaia Toeava. At super rugby level he was one of the best in the business, but on the test arena his self consciousness prevented him from ever reaching his potential.

I didn't see the NZ game today because I was watching ENG v AUS, but I'll take a look if you tell me he stepped up. Maybe I'm wrong that a leopard never learns to trust his spots.

Well from today's match this leopard definitely has...mind you he's more the black version rather than the spotted one so maybe he didnt have any spots to begin with.

Mind you other than some very good tries the game itself was patchy, awful at times. Errors creeping back in everywhere.

Taylorman wrote:Mind you other than some very good tries the game itself was patchy, awful at times. Errors creeping back in everywhere.

but they didnt let in as many tries as last weeks team.

Just thought all this weekends matches were lacking in quality, not a good advertisement for the game at all.

I think Italy played well in the first half and showed good variety on attack. I was impressed with the fact they tried to take the game to the ABs.

Didn't see the France Argentina match though. England Australia seemed pretty evenly matched but with some naive tactics. The RC had some pretty shoddy rugby as well. There haven't been many quality matches this year.