NOT ONLY DID All Black wing Julian Savea’s hat-trick play a huge part in helping his team to their monstrous 62 – 13 thrashing of France the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, it propelled him further along in the record books.
Players will always tell you that these things don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but hey, it never hurts to have your name in lights either.
Christophe Ena
Christophe Ena
While becoming the first player to record more than one hat-trick at a World Cup, Savea brought himself level with the milestown of eight tries in a single tournament. Little wonder he refused to ease off the pedal with the try-line in sight – even when there were three French defenders arriving intent on smashing him in to touch.
The men he now shared that record with matter, because they are among the most revered wingers in the short history of the professional game: Bryan Habana and Jonah Lomu.
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We’ll begin with the latter, the larger than life figure with whom, for the 112 kg Savea, comparison is inescapable.
“I wouldn’t say it’s pressure,” Savea says of the parallels drawn between his own tackler-shredding style of play and the legendary Lomu.
I’ve always said that no one can come close to Jonah, he’s amazing.
“I watched him in every home game in Wellington running over people like little kids.
“It’s awesome to be compared to him and it’s an honour but I’m just doing my job as best I can.”
His hat-trick score saw him overtake Lomu in New Zealand’s all-time try-scoring charts. He started the day with 35 to his name and ends with 38. This 25-year-old is now the iconic number 11 making grown men feel like helpless underfed boys.
Mike Egerton
Mike Egerton
Yet Savea is also capable of opening up his stride and scorching his way outside defenders if he decides he doesn’t fancy showing off his ability to steamroll. That’s what will make it essential viewing when he takes the field with Habana in next Saturday’s semi-final.
“He’s a legend in my eyes really,” Savea says of Habana, the Springboks’ own prolific finisher.
'No one can come close to Jonah': Record-setting Savea comes closer than anyone
Sean Farrell reports from the Millennium Stadium
NOT ONLY DID All Black wing Julian Savea’s hat-trick play a huge part in helping his team to their monstrous 62 – 13 thrashing of France the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, it propelled him further along in the record books.
Players will always tell you that these things don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but hey, it never hurts to have your name in lights either.
While becoming the first player to record more than one hat-trick at a World Cup, Savea brought himself level with the milestown of eight tries in a single tournament. Little wonder he refused to ease off the pedal with the try-line in sight – even when there were three French defenders arriving intent on smashing him in to touch.
The men he now shared that record with matter, because they are among the most revered wingers in the short history of the professional game: Bryan Habana and Jonah Lomu.
We’ll begin with the latter, the larger than life figure with whom, for the 112 kg Savea, comparison is inescapable.
“I wouldn’t say it’s pressure,” Savea says of the parallels drawn between his own tackler-shredding style of play and the legendary Lomu.
“I watched him in every home game in Wellington running over people like little kids.
“It’s awesome to be compared to him and it’s an honour but I’m just doing my job as best I can.”
His hat-trick score saw him overtake Lomu in New Zealand’s all-time try-scoring charts. He started the day with 35 to his name and ends with 38. This 25-year-old is now the iconic number 11 making grown men feel like helpless underfed boys.
Yet Savea is also capable of opening up his stride and scorching his way outside defenders if he decides he doesn’t fancy showing off his ability to steamroll. That’s what will make it essential viewing when he takes the field with Habana in next Saturday’s semi-final.
“He’s a legend in my eyes really,” Savea says of Habana, the Springboks’ own prolific finisher.
“To have that accolade (alongside Lomu and Habana) is pretty awesome.
“South Africa played well too, so we’ll enjoy the moment but refocus pretty quickly.”
- This article was updated at 01.04 to correct the scoreline in New Zealand’s win.
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