Julian Savea Returns To The Hurricanes
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Julian Savea's return to the Hurricanes as been confirmed with the former All Blacks winger returning to his former Super Rugby side for the final two matches of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The man nicknamed 'The Bus', scored 46 tries in 54 tests in the Black jersey, has been snapped up by the injury-hit Hurricanes for their final two matches of Super Rugby Aotearoa, coach Jason Holland confirmed on Monday.
The older of the two Savea brothers bid the Hurricanes farewell after his 116th match in the 2018 semifinal defeat to the Crusaders.
He went on to join French TOP14 club Toulon but endured a turbulent stay at the French side where he was publicly criticised by the club’s owner before returning to New Zealand in May. Savea hasn't played any rugby since his return to New Zealand with Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland saying he is uncertain how much playing time the 29-year-old will be handed as he won’t be fit for his team’s next outing against the Chiefs following their upcoming bye week.
That leaves just the Highlanders clash on August 15 in Dunedin as the only realistic chance for Savea to take the field this season. Savea has been based in Auckland and despite not having played a competitive match in recent months, Holland was happy to snap up the 29-year-old.
“He’s been working pretty hard by the sound of it. He’s played 100 games for the Hurricanes and is a big part of what’s happened here in the past and we’re looking forward to the experience he can bring in for two weeks and help the boys along and compete in that outside backs spot,” Holland said.
Julian Savea posted on Twitter:
Looking forward to rejoining my brothers down at the @Hurricanesrugby for the remainder of the season 🙌🏾💛🖤 blessed to get this opportunity and very grateful! Back to my where it all started https://t.co/filO3USnbj
— Julian Savea (@juliansavea7) July 26, 2020
Savea joins the Hurricanes following the departure of Ben Lam who played his 50th and final game for the side in the win over the Crusaders this weekend.
He heads to France joining Top 14 club Bordeaux.
