Duffie, Tamanivalu keep Savea on the outer

The All Blacks insist Julian Savea is still part of their plans despite the continued snubbing of the prolific winger.

Former NRL star Matt Duffie and reinvented Crusaders flyer Seta Tamanivalu have been included in the enlarged New Zealand squad for their five-match tour of Europe in November.

Injury and unavailability have seen Hansen trawl through a number of back three players this season but Savea hasn’t been required since the drawn series against the British and Irish Lions.

A scorer of 46 tries in 54 Tests, Savea has been in decent form for Wellington in the NPC and isn’t a lost Test cause, Hansen reiterated on Monday.

“We’re really happy with how he’s going but it’s a long term plan with Jules,” Hansen said of the 27-year-old.

“He and his wife are due to have a baby shortly so we want him to have a big off season. Those two things combined with us thinking ‘stick with the plan and let’s have us look at some other people’.”

Duffie, 27, is uncapped and rewarded for big strides made since ending six seasons at the Melbourne Storm in 2015.

He stood out for the Blues this year, proving he had made a complete code adjustment, Hansen said.

“He’s done well, coming from the Storm after a lot of injuries. I know they didn’t want him to go, they rated him very highly,” Hansen said.

“He’s got a sense of maturity about him that I think will fit in very well with what we’re trying to do at the moment.

“Over the last couple of years he’s just grown and grown. He’s become very consistent.”

Tamanivalu was previously tried and discarded at centre by the All Blacks, who were unimpressed by some defensive chinks.

However, his move to the wing at the Super Rugby champion Crusaders has proved inspired.

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster says the Fijian-born 25-year-old has unveiled a whole new skill-set.

“He chases a lot of kicks, catches them, and that part of his game has been significant. We hadn’t really seen it when he was playing centre,” Foster said.

“Clearly he can play both but moving out to the wing, it looks to be his best position.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!