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'I'd definitely think about it' - Julian Savea considering rugby league switch

December 18, 2017

The winger will face the All Blacks after he was an omission from their end of year tour squad.

After a year that saw him surrender his hold on the All Blacks' number 11 jersey, star winger Julian Savea hasn't ruled out a switch to rugby league in the foreseeable future.

Savea, 27, has struggled for form in 2017, displaced by the all-conquering Rieko Ioane, as the youngster stormed to become World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Contracted with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2019, Savea told Fairfax that a cross-code switch was always an option for the devastating winger.

Savea says the end goal is to get back into the All Blacks but knows he must play well for the Hurricanes.

"It's always been in the back of my mind," Savea said.

"I haven't had any reason to leave rugby, [but] I'd definitely think about it."

"You can't not think about it and not say no straight away, weigh up the pros and cons and what's best for my family."

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen earlier this year said that the door wasn't shut on Savea's return - however, the guarantee of playing time at the top level could see the once prolific try scorer lining up in the 13-man code in the near future.

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