Julian Savea

Former All Black Julian Savea offers sympathy for Muslim community after Christchurch attacks

Now playing in France for Toulon, Savea is familiar with the Islamic community, with his wife Fatima a practising Muslim, even observing Ramadan to learn more about the culture.

Taking to Twitter, the 28-year old spoke about his heartbreak at the events from last Friday.

"I've been privileged enough to learn about Islam through my wife's family, especially her grandparents," Savea wrote.

"They've been to Mecca twice, they pray 5 times a day, they encouraged me to fast during Ramadan and taught me what it means to be a Muslim.

Former All Black Savea unharmed after car accident

Julian Savea's wife, Fatima Savea, has taken to Instagram giving a detailed account of the accident and to reassure those concerned of his safety.

"Tonight Julian fell asleep behind the wheels of his car and flipped his car. Thankfully he is safe and sound in bed with me now after being dropped home by the ambulance because silly me had her phone on silent and missed all the calls and texts," Fatima wrote on Instagram on Sunday (local time).

Cash lures the 'Bus' to Toulon

Savea is joining joining French club Toulon on a two year deal and will leave at the end of the Super Rugby competition.

The 27-year-old has played 54 tests for the All Blacks, scoring 46 tries, putting second on New Zealand's all-time try-scoring list behind only Doug Howlett.

Nick named the Bus Julian Savea made his debut for the All Blacks in 2012 against Ireland but struggled for form and fitness at times with his last test against the British and Irish Lions last year.

Julian Savea joins the AB's 27-club

Julian Savea confirmed that he'll be leaving New Zealand after Super Rugby wraps up, to take his place mining the seemingly bottomless pit of privately owned club riches in France.

He's off to Toulon, where he'll be able to hopefully play out a number of lucrative seasons. After all, he's only 27 - but that's too old to be an All Black winger these days.

Savea considers switching codes

Savea, who is just three short of Doug Howlett's All Blacks record of 49 tries, has not featured for his country since the drawn series against the British and Irish Lions in July.

When asked about switching from union to rugby league, the 27-year-old told newshub.co.nz: "It's always been in the back of my mind."

Savea said he would "definitely think about it" and added he would have to "weigh up the pros and cons and what's best for my family".

"The All Blacks is the end goal but not a real focus at the moment," he added.

 

 

Savea not ruling out code hop

Wing Savea appeared in the final Test against the British and Irish Lions on July 8 but was omitted by Steve Hansen for the Rugby Championship and the November internationals.

The 27-year-old has scored 46 tries in 54 Test appearances for the All Blacks – just four away from surpassing Douglas Howlett as the country's most prolific player.

Savea is contracted with New Zealand Rugby until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, though he is seemingly open to switching codes with his place in the national team uncertain.

Savea has his smile back, targets ABs

The master coach wants to see his 27-year-old wing – stranded on the 46-try mark from his 54 tests when he was dropped from the All Blacks mid-year – rediscover his love of the game. He wants to see "the smile" back on the face of the man they call 'The Bus'.

Savea, who was in Auckland on Thursday to undertake promotional duties for February's Brisbane Global Tens which he hopes to use to launch a successful comeback season, says the All Blacks' boss can rest assured on that front.

NZ rugby star Julian Savea and wife Fatima welcome baby girl

Fatima gave birth to Jude Telesia Savea by caesarean section at Wellington Hospital on Thursday morning.

"Welcome to the world Jude Telesia Savea, 7.65pounds of pure joy and happiness. Mummy and daddy love you so very much," Fatima posted on Instagram after the birth.

 Jude is Hurricanes wing Savea's second daughter, but the first with Fatima.

 Fatima had previously spoken about the couple's difficulties in getting pregnant and how they'd even considered adopting a child, before finding out they were pregnant earlier in the year. 

Barbarian Julian Savea enjoying his rugby more than ever

The 27-year-old has only appeared once for the world champions in 2017, the 15-15 third Test draw at Eden Park.

Surpassed by the likes of Rieko Ioane, Matt Duffie and Waisake Naholo in the left-wing pecking order, Savea has spent the entire second half of the season confined to the Mitre 10 Cup with the Wellington Lions.

Playing a big part in the capitals championship winning performance, Savea said the break from international rugby has rejuvenated him.

"The whole team played well," he told reporters in London.

Savea named Lions captain

The right wing will lead the Lions for the first time, when they meet the mighty Canterbury at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Wellington wing Stu Wilson once captained the All Blacks on a tour to Britain, but typically skippers are found nearer to the action.

But with No.8, and regular captain, Brad Shields out with a knee injury, Lions coach Chris Gibbes has turned to the team's elder statesmen. The 27-year-old Savea's only played 26 games for Wellington, since his debut in 2010, but he's a man that all the players look up to.