Rugby: All Blacks winger Julian Savea ends time with Toulon, open to New Zealand return

Julian Savea in action for French club side Toulon. Photo / Photosport

Rugby World Cup winner Julian Savea is open to a return to rugby in New Zealand after parting ways with French side Toulon.

Savea joined Toulon from the Hurricanes in 2018, but failed to make the desired impact at the French club.

Savea announced his "bittersweet" departure on Instagram.

In a video chat with his All Blacks brother Ardie, Julian Savea said he was open to a return to New Zealand.

"Obviously the season's done and I'm coming home soon hopefully, once everything dies down. I guess trying to get back into New Zealand rugby maybe or find another contract – that's a five month, six-month timeline in terms of what can happen.

"Because of Covid-19 still going and we're waiting for everything to calm down. When teams and I guess organisations are ready to sign again, enter talks like that."

He said he's enjoyed his experience at Toulon,

"My experience here in France has been awesome. The media hasn't really been on my side but other than that for me it's been a pleasure being here."

The 29-year-old winger said he plans to return home and look at his options from there, but is open to playing in New Zealand again.

"It's been a bit tough," he said. "But with this Covid-19 being on … clubs are sort of not signing anyone and sort of don't really have that money to offer people. So it's sort of made my decision easy.

"Like I said that five-six month timeline, just for me, [it would] be better off being in New Zealand, with friends and family, I get to train back up with the boys. And I guess get my body and my mind all ready to go for whatever is next, whether that's in New Zealand or somewhere else overseas again.

"Until that time comes, first and foremost I just want to get home and see the family."

Savea added that he could even be open to a switch to the NRL.

"Ideally I would like to be back with the Canes brothers … if that doesn't happen then I'll see my other options. It could be another franchise, it could be Japan, it could be even maybe the Warriors. I don't know. We'll see."

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A post shared by Julian Savea (@juliansavea7)

Savea added to those thoughts in his Instagram post.

"Thank you to those who have supported me over the past two season here at RCT. I will forever be thankful for this experience and my time in Toulon," he said.

"Very bittersweet moment not getting to end the season the way I wanted to, but also very excited for this next journey ahead of me. I want to thank all my brothers that I've played with over the past two seasons, you guys are very special to me and I've made some life long friendships I will cherish forever.

"I want to thank @rctofficiel, the coaching staff and the management for always being good to us. It's been a long journey and not a pretty one either but the highs definitely outweigh the lows," he added.

After a slow start to his Toulon career, the 54-test All Black was on the receiving end of stinging public criticism from club president Mourad Boudjellal last February, with the outspoken Boudjellal going as far as to say Savea would not play for Toulon again.

"I'm going to ask for a DNA test. They must have swapped him on the plane. If I were him I would apologise and go back to my home country," Boudjellal told a French radio station.

"I've told him that he was free to go and wasn't welcome at Toulon anymore."