Steve Hansen has inadvertently created a storm of debate after the All Blacks coach declared that winger Julian Savea is "probably better" than the great Jonah Lomu.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hansen feels that Savea has a wider skill set than the barnstorming Lomu, who was afflicted with a kidney disease that greatly affected his career and forced him into a premature retirement.
Julian Savea scores a try in New Zealand's test match against Argentina in Napier on Saturday. Photo: PHOTOSPORT / Andrew Cornaga
The 24-year-old Savea has previously tried to play down such comparisons, but Hansen's comments before Sunday's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa have reignited the debate.
Lomu, who burst onto the scene at the 1995 World Cup and arguably became rugby's first globally recognised player, was considered a freak because of his size and speed that created problems for opposition wingers.
Jonah Lomu in a typical barnstorming run against England at Twickenham in 2002 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Savea is marginally shorter - he stands 1.92 metres tall to Lomu's supposed 1.96 metres - and lighter (107 kilos to 119 kilos), but it is the way in which they challenge defences and score tries that has been seen as the biggest similarity.
Savea's strike rate, 27 tries in 27 Tests is among the best in the world, while Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 Tests. Lomu had scored 16 tries in his first 27 Tests.
Neither have scored a try against South Africa.
