Savea was the star of the tournament, scoring eight memorable tries in three games en route to the final and then helping New Zealand run through Australia 62-17 in a decisive eight tries to two victory.

Powerfully built and with speed to burn, Savea featured on the right wing for New Zealand in the tournament and scored four tries in one match against Samoa and two each against Wales and South Africa, the latter as part of a 36-7 semi-final win.

Savea joins a growing list of Wellington Academy players to have been recognised by the IRB as being the best in the world, following world junior award nominations and wins for Jeremy Thrush, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Victor Vito and Robbie Fruean in recent seasons.

Savea was thrilled to win the award, and heaped praise on his New Zealand teammates following the final ."I feel pretty stoked," said Savea. "Credit to the boys as without them I wouldn't be here. I enjoyed the game tonight, it was great, we got up and played well and I think we just capitalised on our opportunities more."
"The IRB Junior World Championship has shown us the future stars of the world game, which looks to be in very good hands," said IRB Vice Chairman Bill Beaumont, in Argentina to present the Award to Savea.

"The IRB Junior Player of the Year Award is essential in recognising achievement at this level and Julian should feel extremely proud that he has won this award given the very talented players on show here over the past three weeks."

He becomes the third New Zealander in succession to win it, after Aaron Cruden in 2009 and Luke Braid in 2008. He beat off competition for the award from his New Zealand captain Tyler Bleyendaal, Australia centre Robbie Coleman and Argentina first five-eighth Ignacio Rodriguez Muedra.
The accolade for Savea comes hot on the heels of him having played for the New Zealand Sevens teams in five IRB Sevens World Cup tournaments last year, scoring the joint second most tries for New Zealand in 2009 with 17 (behind Zar Lawrence who scored 27).

In December he was a Steinlager Award nominee for the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year award along with winner Lawrence (Bay of Plenty) and Carla Hohepa (Otago).

At home at either centre or on the wing, the former Rongotai College first XV star was a member of the Hurricanes Academy while still at school in 2008 and made that year's New Zealand Secondary Schools side along with 2010 New Zealand U20 teammates Charlie Ngatai, from Gisborne Boys' High School, and Wellington College prop Jeff Allen.

In fifteen's rugby in 2009, Savea was selected in the Wellington Lions pre-season training squad and later made several eye-catching appearances for the Wellington Colts

He is currently trialling for the New Zealand Sevens team, alongside Vodafone Wellington Lions and New Zealand Maori winger Hosea Gear, for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in India.

Other Wellington players part of the New Zealand U20 side were 2009 Vodafone Wellingotn Lions backs Jason Woodward and Charlie Ngatai, Kayne Hammington and Jeff Allen.