After Complexity shifted him to the bench eight months ago, the future of Australian rifleman Justin “jks” Savage was unclear. But after a season of waiting — including a tier one substitution win — he has found a new home at G2 Esports, replacing the outgoing Audric “JACKZ” Jug.
It’s arguably the worst kept secret during this summer break roster shuffle.
But our Mr. Savage is back in action — full-time.
Dexerto and 1pv.fr reported in late July that the Australian was on the verge of joining the storied European organisation.
But it was this week, as G2 gears up for the back end of the 2022 competitive season, that the organisation finally made the move official.
He will be replacing HEET-bound JACKZ, who’s career at the organisation spanned four years and almost 700 maps.
The last we saw of Australian prodigy jks, he was returning home after a late call up to FaZe Clan back at IEM Katowice in February — a substitution that resulted in our region’s first tier one event winner.
- Read more: jks, FaZe Clan take out IEM Katowice title
Photo: Radosław Makuch, HLTV
Jks has since been riding the pine on Complexity’s bench following the North American organisation’s return to their home region back in November 2021.
Now, jks makes a return with one of the most successful esports organisations in the world in G2 Esports — an organisation looking to bounce back from a mediocre 2022 thus far.
Even with Nikola “NiKo” Kovač in prime form and newest recruit sniper Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov posting impressive numbers for a rookie, G2 has disappointed fans.
After losing to jks & FaZe Clan in the final at IEM Katowice, G2 finished outside the top eight at the PGL Antwerp Major, dropping to FURIA.
The Brazilians made it two in a row at IEM Dallas, with G2 then also failing to make the finals at IEM Cologne, losing 2-1 to Ninjas in Pyjamas.
At the BLAST Premier Spring Finals, G2 went down to Team Vitality in the semi-finals, who themselves have struggled with form over the past six months.
It’s not the only change for the squad, who, with the departure of JACKZ after a year and a half, also see off in-game leader Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen, who joined the squad back in January.
Replacing Aleksib is Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen of Copenhagen Flames’ fame. The Dane oversaw CPH Flames’ run through the PGL Antwerp Major, where the team garnered many fans on their way to a 5th-8th place finish, falling to ENCE.
Jks was initially linked with OG in June, but the Aussie put the rumour to bed, indicating that discussions were had, but nothing was ever agreed upon.
Jks and the new G2 squad is expected to debut at BLAST Premier Fall, with the group stage kicking off this weekend.
