Brad Fittler has expressed shock at the Raiders’ decision to leave Xavier Savage out of their round one team to face the Sharks despite starring in the pre-season trials.
Speedster Savage, still just 19, made his NRL debut last season, impressing in the three games that he featured in the top grade.
He was one of the leading lights in the pre-season for Ricky Stuart’s men, creating a selection headache as he vied for the No.1 jersey with highly-rated Kiwi Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Unsurprisingly Stuart stuck with experience, picking Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback, while Nick Cotric and Semi Valemei given the nod on the wings.
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In fact Savage was left out of the 22-man squad entirely when it was named on Tuesday ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with the Sharks, leaving NSW coach Fittler scratching his head.
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“Can you believe Xavier Savage isn’t playing?” Fittler asked Andrew Johns on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and Joey’s Tips.
“He looked good in the trials didn’t he,” Johns replied.
“He was their best,” added a bemused Fittler. “He was their best by far.”
Despite questioning Savage’s non selection, Fittler still tipped the Raiders to overcome the Sharks in a game that split the two legends.
Johns saw enough in the trial form of the Sharks to give them the not, saying they looked “gritty” and showed “great attack” against the Bulldogs.
Andrew Johns: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Knights, Warriors, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Brad Fittler: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Johnathan Thurston: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Wally Lewis: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Allana Ferguson: Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Bulldogs
Darren Lockyer: Sea Eagles, Raiders, Broncos, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Billy Slater: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Broncos, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Dave Middleton: Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Warriors, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Mat Thompson: Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Peter Psaltis: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
Danika Mason: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Bulldogs
Michael Chammas: Panthers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Bulldogs
Ben Glover: Sea Eagles, Raiders, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Warriors, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
The Mole: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Eels, Cowboys
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