Savea satisfied with Ramadan
It sounds as if Julian Savea is getting all the spiritual nourishment he needs.
The Hurricanes wing is observing Ramadan for the first time, in support of his Muslim wife Fatima.
Savea is one week into the month-long fast, which requires followers to go without food or liquid during daylight hours. Savea’s former All Blacks teammate Sonny Bill Williams is Muslim and also fasting, just as his former Canterbury Bankstown clubmate Hazem El Masri did during his NRL days, so the practice isn’t foreign to the rugby codes.
‘‘Yeah, good. Obviously the first couple of days have been tough, but nothing that’s stressful,’’ Savea said of his first week.
He already feels lighter and hasn’t noticed any pronounced fatigue at training, or during last Friday’s 24-14 loss to the Crusaders.
It’s also proving a good education.
‘‘I guess I’m just trying to adopt her culture and learn as much as I can. I wouldn’t say I’m full Muslim as I don’t know too much about it,’’ said Savea, who comes from a Christian background. ‘‘I’ve got two different cultures and learning each different religion is pretty awesome and a cool experience.’’
And he doesn’t find himself endlessly daydreaming about food, or looking on enviously as the other Hurricanes tuck into lunch.
‘‘Nah. Like I said, the first two days, three days were pretty tough. Now it’s just trying to buy some time and do things, rather than just sit at home.’’
Like going to the Hurricanes’ base at Rugby League Park and watching footage of the Crusaders game. You assume yesterday’s review wasn’t pretty, even if it wasn’t as exhaustive as it could’ve been.
With eight players in Christchurch at the All Blacks’ latest camp, including key gamedrivers Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara, there’s a limit to what the rest of the Hurricanes can take from that defeat.
Not that Savea’s a subscriber to the view that losses can teach you something.
‘‘Nah, I don’t believe it at all. If you want to be great you’ve got to be able to keep learning as you win.
‘‘I don’t think any teams need to lose to learn and get better.’’
The Hurricanes play the Highlanders in Dunedin in Friday, where the Forsyth Barr Stadium roof will limit the lessons that can be taken from Friday’s struggles in the wet. The Highlanders love to contest high kicks so Savea’s likely to have a busy night.