Xavier Savage

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Xavier Savage

|fullname =

|image = XAVIER SAVAGE.jpg

|image_size =

|position = {{rlp|WG|FB}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2002|04|24}}

|birth_place = Cairns, Queensland, Australia

|height = {{convert|184|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

|weight = {{convert|90|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

|club1 = Canberra Raiders

|year1start = 2021

|year1end = present

|appearances1 = 52

|tries1 = 28

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 112

|teamA = {{nowrap|Prime Minister's XIII}}

|yearAstart = 2024

|yearAend =

|appearancesA = 1

|triesA = 0

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 0

|new = yes

|source = {{cite web|title=Xavier Savage - Career Stats & Summary|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/xavier-savage/summary.html|website=Rugby League Project}}

|updated = 12 April 2025

}}

Xavier Savage (born 24 April 2002) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|wg}}er or {{rlp|fb}} for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Background

Savage was born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. He attended Brisbane Boys College and grew up playing rugby union. He is an Indigenous Australian (from Birri Gubba and Gungganyji people) and a Torres Strait Islander (from Erub Island).{{cite web|date=13 May 2021|title=Embracing culture: The story of our 2021 Indigenous Range|url=https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2021/05/13/Embracing-culture-the-story-of-our-2021-Indigenous-Range/|website=raiders.com.au|access-date=23 June 2021}}

Playing career

=2021=

In round 15 of the 2021 NRL season, Savage made his first grade debut for the Canberra Raiders against the St. George Illawarra Dragons. He entered the game as a concussion replacement (18th man) for Sebastian Kris, playing 12 minutes after half-time until officials realized that Jack Bird had not been sin-binned or sent off for his tackle on Kris, a requirement for using the 18th man.{{cite web|date=19 June 2021|title=Melbourne Storm thump Wests Tigers 66-16 as St George Illawarra, Newcastle post NRL wins|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-19/nrl-melbourne-storm-beat-wests-tigers-dragons-knights-post-wins/100215570/|work=ABC|access-date=19 June 2021}}{{cite web|last=Vlotis|first=George|date=19 June 2021|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/xavier-savage-18th-man-canberra-raiders-debut/2e96b448-2501-4868-9625-49134b8f431e/|title=Drama as rookie's dream NRL debut cut short by 18th man confusion|work=Wide World of Sport|access-date=19 June 2021}}{{cite web|last=Walter|first=Brad|date=19 June 2021|title='Fortunately we didn't win': Stuart owns up to 18th man error|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/06/19/fortunately-we-didnt-win-stuart-owns-up-to-18th-man-error/|website=NRL.com|access-date=23 June 2021}}

On 20 July 2021, it was announced that Savage would miss the remainder of the 2021 NRL season after suffering an AC shoulder joint injury in Canberra's win over Cronulla-Sutherland.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/horrible-canberra-raiders-young-gun-xavier-savage-cops-injury-blow/news-story/68ce198937e92b420a8b0140a95e5bf9/|title=Canberra Raiders young gun Xavier Savage cops injury blow|website=www.news.com.au}}

=2022=

Savage played a total of 19 games for Canberra in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Savage played in both finals matches as Canberra were eliminated in the second week by Parramatta.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-live-parramatta-eels-vs-canberra-raiders-teams-live-scores-brad-arthur-vs-ricky-stuart-highlights-live-stream-joseph-tapine-mitchell-moses-concussion/news-story/ab4febda34065392fcd3071590abc0ec/|title=Eels send ruthless title message, bury finals 'ghosts' in Raiders no-show: 3 Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=16 September 2022 }}

=2023=

On 15 March, it was announced that Savage would be ruled out for over 4 weeks with a broken jaw. Savage played only one match for Canberra in the 2023 NRL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/panthers-superstar-limping-hard-despite-taking-field-after-friendly-fire-blow-nrl-casualty-ward/news-story/ab50de07d4bc2a18c8531c25f4162162/|title=Carnage as Knights lose FOUR; Tigers' double blow in brutal clash: NRL Casualty Ward|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=12 March 2023 }}

=2024=

Savage played 24 games for Canberra in the 2024 NRL season and scored 15 tries as the club finished 9th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-season-review-canberra-raiders-analysis-exclusive-20240911-p5k9ws.html/|title=The Mole's end-of-season review: The 'wasted' enforcer Ricky Stuart must 'fire up' in 2025|website=www.nine.com.au}} On 13 December, the Raiders announced that Savage had re-signed with the club until the end of 2027.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-12 |title=Xavier Savage Re-Signs with the Raiders |url=https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2024/12/13/xavier-savage-re-signs-with-the-raiders/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Canberra Raiders |language=en}}

=2025=

In round 1 of the 2025 NRL season, Savage scored two tries in Canberra's 30-8 victory over the New Zealand Warriors.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/02/canberra-raiders-wallop-new-zealand-warriors-in-nrl-season-opener-in-las-vegas/|title=Canberra Raiders wallop New Zealand Warriors in NRL season opener in Las Vegas|website=www.theguardian.com}}