Bryan Habana has backed Rieko Ioane to break his Rugby World Cup record of scoring eight tries in one tournament.
The South African legend, who called time on his illustrious career in April, believes the 21‑year‑old New Zealand wing has what it takes to better his achievement in Japan at the end of next year, when the All Blacks defend their crown.
35-year-old Habana managed to touch down eight times at the 2007 tournament to match Jonah Lomu's record, set in 1999.
Three years ago, Julian Savea, another All Blacks wing, equalled that mark.
However, he has been edged out of the side, largely thanks to the rise of Ioane, who initially shot to fame on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series circuit in 2015.
Having won his first All Blacks cap in November 2016, against Italy in Rome, Ioane has gone on to be capped 24 times – and has already chalked up an incredible 22 tries.
Habana says to be brutally honest, he thinks it is written on the wall for Rieko to break the Rugby World Cup record of the most tries in one competition.
He says Ioane has a phenomenal strike rate, and reminds him of Julian Savea in 2015.
[Source: stuff.co]
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