Guys, can you please pass me the ball?
For whatever reason, Hurricanes wing Julian Savea has been quiet this season.
Any number of Hurricanes’ backs, such as Jordie and Beauden Barrett, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso and Ngani Laumape have generated plenty of highlights and headlines. But play hasn’t seemed to run Savea’s way quite as much.
Last year his fitness and attitude were discussion points. This time he looks taut, terrific and enthusiastic, without scaling the heights of performance he so regularly reaches at All Blacks level.
Inside Savea, Hurricanes midfield backs Aso and Laumape have scored 24 tries between them this season, leading you to wonder if they’re maybe not sharing enough of the spoils?
‘‘I’d like a bit more ball,’’ a chuckling Savea said. ‘‘Who wouldn’t? But I’m happy with the way they’re going. They’re playing amazing and it’s actually creating havoc for other teams, so sooner or later it’s going to create more space for me, I guess. As long as they’re scoring tries, I’m happy with that.’’
Savea is definitely not having a go at the pair, merely politely answering a question. As he did on the subject of his own form.
‘‘Just doing my role, I guess. I’m pretty happy the boys are getting the job done and just keep putting consistent performances [out there].’’
The crosskick has looked Savea’s most likely source of a linebreak. Hurricanes first fiveeighth Beauden Barrett has launched them with pretty unerring accuracy, in consultation with his wings.
Savea said it was ‘‘a bit of both’’ when it came to whether Barrett or the wings called the play.
‘‘Sometimes he sees it and most of the time the guys outside give a call for space and sometimes he decides whether to kick it there or pass to the next player and we’ll try to get to that space,’’ said Savea.
The hard and fast track at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld ought to suit Savea when the Hurricanes meet the Bulls tomorrow morning.
The Hurricanes are in search of as many competition points as possible, which means not just winning but winning with a flourish. You’d expect Savea to see plenty of ball, then, and for the game to be played at a very high tempo.