The Bus is back in service
Julian Savea might be so big and strong they call him ‘‘the Bus’’, but getting axed by your All Blacks coach still hurts like hell.
The 26-year-old Hurricanes wing, who has scored 46 tries in 53 tests and needs just three more to equal Doug Howlett’s all-time record, has been handed a reprieve for tomorrow’s series decider against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park.
After missing the first two tests, first with Rieko Ioane and then Waisake Naholo preferred, circumstances have handed the 1.92m, 108kg Wellington express a chance.
‘‘It’s a massive opportunity,’’ said the always laidback Savea yesterday. ‘‘I’m just excited to do what I love doing and that’s to play rugby, and do what I can for the team this week.’’
He can do plenty. The All Blacks are adamant they have to play more footy this week to despatch the Lions. Part of that plan will involve getting the ball in Savea’s hands in as much space as possible.
He’s certainly motivated after a selection snub that bit deep.
‘‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. It definitely hurt,’’ he said. ‘‘You can sulk for a half a day or something like that, but you need to switch your head around and do what’s best for the team, and in my case it was help the boys prepare for those two weeks.’’
It’s all about performing his role, said Savea, of the mindset heading into such a monumental test.
‘‘The more we can just do our bit in our structure, then things will open up and be more clear on the field. We don’t want to change too much. We just need to trust in each other, trust in our abilities and trust in how we’ve prepared for the week.’’
Coach Steve Hansen, who’s a hard taskmaster when it comes to his tryscoring wing, said he had no hesitation going back to Plan A this week. ‘‘He’s not a bad replacement ... 53 test matches and 46 tries, it’s not too bad to be able to pull a bloke like that out,’’ said the All Blacks coach.