The 2023 World Player of the Year is currently enjoying a sabbatical in Japan Rugby League One, plying his trade for Kobelco Kobe Steelers and the All Blacks talisman has been blown away by the quality of rugby in the country, especially in defence.
Japan head coach Eddie Jones goes up against his successor Steve Borthwick for the first time since his sacking in December 2022 and Savea has outlined two danger men from the Kobe Steelers, who may cause problems for England on June 22.
Savea told The Rugby Paper: “It’s going to be a good, interesting watch. England are world class as we all know but being here playing against some of the guys that are available for Japan, wow they can play! They can tackle, my legs have never been chopped so many times than they have over here in Japan. It’s going to be a really good game.
“There’s a few guys who can cause England problems. I compare our winger Kanta Matsunaga to the Cheslin Kolbe of Japan because he’s a little winger who is a freak on his feet. Seungsin Lee our 13 is a young player but is also a hell of a talent. There’s plenty more in other teams as well for England to be cautious of.”
Two weeks later England lock horns with New Zealand for a two-match Test series in Dunedin and Auckland.
While the 81-capped No.8, who has scored 25 international tries, admits to not taking in much of the Six Nations while in Japan, Savea says his troops must be wary of England’s forward pack.
Denne historien er fra March 31, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 31, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.