Canberra unearthed a new star in their 34-18 win over Cronulla on Saturday with speedy youngster Xavier Savage shining at Cbus Super Stadium.
Savage, 19, had 246 run metres, nine tackle breaks, two line-breaks and a try in just his third game at first-grade level.
With the young gun slotting into the one jersey, Greg Alexander thinks the Raiders have found the solution to their “fullback problem”.
“How exciting was he? What a treat,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“We didn’t really know what we were in for, I know it’s the second game for Xavier Savage but incredible performance by him.
“You thought, ‘Wow, they’ve found their answer to the fullback problem’.
“They’ve had it all season with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who has been unavailable for most of it.
“They’ve tried Bailey Simonsson, Caleb Aikens has had a good run, but Xavier Savage, what an exciting young player.”
With young fullbacks like Reece Walsh bursting onto the scene in 2021, Alexander believes Savage looked “as good as anyone” in his big game.
“We’ve seen a couple this year, some good, young number ones,” Alexander added.
“Xavier Savage, brilliant in terms of his speed and he was a former schoolboy sprint champion. He’s got that part of his game locked up.
“Very skilful, he set up a great try, that Jack Wighton try in the first half was set up by a run from Savage.
“He looked as good as anyone this year, we’ve unearthed some great talent this year in the NRL.”
Savage and the Raiders will look to make it three wins in a row when they face the Eels on Thursday night.