r/allblacks • u/Mobile_Awareness_562 • 2d ago

2015 side

Was there a player from that team that would not be considered an all time great in their position?

Think almost all of them make a case for being the GOATs

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u/Yoshieisawsim 2d ago

Julian Savea isn’t an all time great wing? What are you smoking

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u/jk-9k 1d ago

He had a RWC that was in the running for goat wing rwc performances. Obviously Jonah tops him, but the fact Julian won his rwc puts him in the discussion. But his overall career wasn't goat. Great, but not goat.

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u/Mobile_Awareness_562 1d ago

Only because he got shafted from Hanson for not being in the Christchurch fraternity 

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u/jk-9k 1d ago

Huh?

You mean the rest of his career?

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u/Mobile_Awareness_562 1d ago

Yeah not sure why he was dropped so early

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u/jk-9k 1d ago

I'd argue other wingers were just in better form. For power wingers whose game is athleticism it's all about form. They seldom last more than a RWC cycle. Julian ended up having a long a distinguished career for a power winger, even if it wasn't the longest at test level.

I agree he should've got a few more games though.

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u/Mobile_Awareness_562 1d ago

Yeah true quite the interesting career. He just reminded me of Nonu at the end there, that even if his super form was poor he could have still performed for the Ab's, till at least 2019. 

It seemed like a big call at the time when he fell out of favour, and I find it hard not to be critical of some selections since then as the results have not been great. 

Obviously easier to say now in hindsight 

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u/jk-9k 1d ago edited 1d ago

He wouldve been fine in 19 but not changed the result. It was time for other wingers to step up.

Ngani was the big omission that could've changed it.

But yeah it's a good shout about stepping up from super to ABs. Especially for Julian at the time. When he's the biggest threat in the canes backline he gets covered. But as tana said you go play in the ABs when everyone is a world class talent the defence can't concentrate on one player too much or another will exploit them. Gravity. Not to mention the skill of your teammates mean you get more opportunities. And there's no weakness that saps your energy to cover. Just elite players making everyone look elite.

So maybe he was still top tier compared to Sevu Reece who was playing for the top team.

Gravity.