jks: "I don't wanna be the reason these guys drop out of the tournament"

Justin "⁠jks⁠" Savage talks stepping in for FaZe at the last minute at IEM Katowice and getting up to speed after a break from the game.

After sitting on the bench for the past few months following the downfall of the Benjamin "⁠blameF⁠" Bremer-led Complexity squad and their disbandment in October, jks has gotten the chance to play at IEM Katowice despite being unable to find a new team during the off-season.

A stroke of bad luck saw FaZe's newest member, Robin "⁠ropz⁠" Kool, miss the kick-off of the tournament, and the Australian got the call up from the bench to step in just a few days before the Play-in stage began.

Despite the loss of their new star, the European squad has made it to the main event after wins over Sprout and MOUZ, the latter of which came in no small part thanks to jks himself, who finished off a deciding Mirage game against Christopher "⁠dexter⁠" Nong and company with a 1.36 rating in a 16-14 victory.

We had the chance to speak to the visibly relieved 'honorary Canadian' following FaZe's qualification for the IEM Katowice group stage, to find out just how little time he had to get up to speed after being away from the game for two months and how he took to the opportunity to play alongside Finn "⁠karrigan⁠" Andersen's squad.

Australia Justin 'jks' Savage
Justin 'jks' Savage
Age:
26
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.07
Maps played:
1171
KPR:
0.71
DPR:
0.63
Estonia Robin 'ropz' Kool
Robin 'ropz' Kool
Age:
22
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.12
Maps played:
1038
KPR:
0.74
DPR:
0.62
Australia Christopher 'dexter' Nong
Christopher 'dexter' Nong
Age:
27
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.10
Maps played:
910
KPR:
0.75
DPR:
0.66
Denmark Finn 'karrigan' Andersen
Finn 'karrigan' Andersen
Age:
31
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.92
Maps played:
1917
KPR:
0.63
DPR:
0.69
Denmark Benjamin 'blameF' Bremer
Benjamin 'blameF' Bremer
Age:
24
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.15
Maps played:
786
KPR:
0.76
DPR:
0.61
good luck
2022-02-15 22:46
0
2 replies
Watching him power up over that series was fantastic
2022-02-15 23:40
0
1 reply
Good to see this young dude playing again. (Haven’t watched any games yet.
2022-02-16 04:17
0
You're goat Justin!
2022-02-15 22:46
0
1 reply
Savage
2022-02-16 10:08
0
#5
 | 
Germany SimplyBasit
Love you Justin!
2022-02-15 22:47
0
Thank u
2022-02-15 22:47
0
He played great
2022-02-15 22:48
0
#11
 | 
Greece RedWinter
JKS greek fan club
2022-02-15 22:48
0
1 reply
+1
2022-02-16 05:24
0
#12
 | 
Europe robo1234
Justin "Trudeau" Savage stopped both truckers and mouz.
2022-02-15 22:48
0
5 replies
lmao
2022-02-15 22:51
0
#34
NAF | 
United States 3van
+1
2022-02-15 23:04
0
lmfao
2022-02-16 01:40
0
Bahahahaha
2022-02-16 04:16
0
Hahhaha
2022-02-16 08:11
0
Honestly his Mirage performance was essential for Faze, well done
2022-02-15 22:49
0
Canadian flag looking good
2022-02-15 22:50
0
21 replies
why does he have it
2022-02-15 22:51
0
12 replies
Because he is stand-in and they don't have a t-shirt with his name so they gave him a twistzz's one
2022-02-15 22:52
0
Because he uses Twistzz jersey (he's just a stand-in)
2022-02-15 22:53
0
#20
Faceit premium user Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
United States Nani_im_a_bot
Probably couldn’t get an Australian jersey in time so just borrowed a jersey from twistzz
2022-02-15 22:53
0
#24
 | 
Europe robo1234
There was no T-shirt with the Aussie flag so they must of used one from Twist as they are similar in size. And there might have been no time for them to make one.
2022-02-15 22:56
0
Maybe there wasn't time to produce a jersey for him so it might be twistzz jersey or something like that
2022-02-15 22:58
0
2 replies
Google an Aussie flag image, print it and stick on jersey - takes 5 minutes. Obviously no one bothered.
2022-02-16 05:19
0
1 reply
Ausiie phobic proved!
2022-02-16 05:53
0
#64
 | 
United Kingdom FNA_IC
guys I'm not sure but I think it might have actually been twistzz's spare jersey
2022-02-16 00:16
0
#69
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
France MARTINIQUE
Not really sure, if I was to take a wild guess they probably borrowed a jersey from another player. Most likely twistzz's.
2022-02-16 00:36
0
1 reply
No I think jks just borrowed one of twists jerseys as they are similar in size, not sure what your theory is on about
2022-03-01 04:47
0
jks is now canadian, you didn't hear?
2022-02-16 03:32
0
Canada and Australia were both under British rule so it doesn't matter :P
2022-02-16 04:45
0
Canada and Australia are basically the same country anyway
2022-02-15 23:02
0
7 replies
Both budget UK
2022-02-15 23:08
0
5 replies
UK wishes it was canada or australia lol
2022-02-15 23:19
0
4 replies
Uk doesn't want to be dictatorship like Canada LOL
2022-02-16 00:50
0
2 replies
Trudeau needs to go
2022-02-16 01:25
0
1 reply
fr
2022-02-16 01:58
0
you have no word youre american
2022-02-16 10:17
0
True
2022-02-16 01:25
0
jks wearing Twistzz's jersey with the Canadian flag XD
2022-02-15 22:52
0
3 replies
They even put flex tape on the top right of the jersey xD
2022-02-15 22:53
0
2 replies
It was about sponsorship with draftkings I believe
2022-02-15 23:24
0
1 reply
#145
 | 
Latvia dawix
Oh, thats why. I've been trying to figure it out since I ever saw the tape on the jersey. xd
2022-02-18 12:50
0
<3
2022-02-15 22:54
0
he really seems to be a nice guy, I feel like a lot of people hate on him for nothing because he always looks bored when he plays :(
2022-02-15 22:55
0
11 replies
#35
 | 
Russia stupid2k
How can one hate such a pleasant guy??
2022-02-15 23:07
0
Those same people probably hate syrson too. He literally has a stone face while the rest of his team are shouting and screaming
2022-02-16 00:21
0
8 replies
#116
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sweden Soltis
Hate syrson because he was in the crowd at Cologne 2015 Major with some mates and he acted like a total ass pouring beer on the row infront of them.
2022-02-16 08:22
0
7 replies
Video?
2022-02-16 08:30
0
3 replies
#141
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sweden Soltis
No video, I was there with my girlfriend in the row behind him and his mates. Feelt awful for the young kids that was infront of them getting soaked and laughed at. He wasn't "known" outside of the local german scene yet and still a kid himself imo, so probably didn't think about acting properly and potential future consequences if e ever went pro. I mean, we have all been young and acted immature online, but seeing that shit irl was fucking mind mind-boggling even considering his age and the fact he was probably intoxicated further impairing his ramification skills.
2022-02-17 14:04
0
2 replies
lost all my respect for syrson
2022-02-17 17:02
0
1 reply
that was syrson 7 years ago, think about how different u are now than u 7 yrs ago. that was a really idiotic decision but in no way represents syrson now.
2022-02-19 18:33
0
#140
 | 
Australia ArctiicAU
lmao where is your sauce?
2022-02-17 13:43
0
2 replies
#146
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sweden Soltis
Myself, so one can choose whether to believe my story or not. I was born in the 80's so I am fine with not having 4K video proof of anything stated, but one must still use his/her own logic and sense to base the level of truth in whatever stated. Up to readers to determine if my words are truthful. And since he is not on trail, we are just discussing his behaviour at an event 7 years ago he attended as a guest, we can leave it that :)
2022-02-18 19:59
0
1 reply
U sound really reasonable, wanna play some time together? :DD
2022-02-18 21:32
0
#153
 | 
Canada dennek
people hate on him cuz he handsome asf
2022-02-20 20:56
0
You absolutely cannot dislike this guy
2022-02-15 22:58
0
the truth is when he finished nuke I criticized him... but he was nervous apparently because of the pressure that faze was left out because of him. then it masterfully recovers.
2022-02-15 22:59
0
1 reply
He was being unlucky as well in many instances with timings and hitting dink and instantly getting one bullet HS from AK
2022-02-16 09:33
0
Wish the best for this man, hope he gets sign soon, so we can see him again competing :D
2022-02-15 23:00
0
mouz -dexter +jks
2022-02-15 23:02
0
8 replies
you on drugs or what?
2022-02-16 00:27
0
#74
 | 
Poland csRIOTgo
it should've been -NBK +jks Mouz was probably too much of a tightass to open their purse
2022-02-16 01:06
0
4 replies
JKS Frozen and Torzsi would've been a very nuts trio
2022-02-16 01:41
0
2 replies
#90
 | 
Poland csRIOTgo
Agreed! I don't know why Mouz didn't it. Ropz and Jks literally like to like replacement
2022-02-16 03:08
0
1 reply
#111
 | 
United States cybonics
NBK was free.
2022-02-16 07:15
0
#154
 | 
Canada dennek
mouz management is so ass they dont wanna spend money i have been mouz fan for 5 years never did a good roster change except the rebuild in 2017. they would have won events if they got someone decent for niko instead of denis and spiidi
2022-02-20 20:58
0
yes, replace the IGL with a lurker. tactical genius
2022-02-16 02:15
0
1 reply
NBK can IGL i guess, if not you can always -NBK +jks but they just signed him. dexter back to Renegades would be a good shout now that they have Liazz.
2022-02-16 14:38
0
This guy is hot.
2022-02-15 23:02
0
1 reply
#112
jks | 
Australia owne
+1
2022-02-16 08:05
0
#32
 | 
Germany MTD3
ion that case you shouldnt have stepped in as a standin :D
2022-02-15 23:03
0
3 replies
#33
 | 
United States xcalibot
flair checks out
2022-02-15 23:04
0
BUG
2022-02-16 03:52
0
#173
 | 
United Kingdom KaeZzz
dumbass
2022-02-27 22:31
0
JKSpray Anti choker Good job men
2022-02-15 23:07
0
You will be the reason they are there
2022-02-15 23:07
0
that mirage was beautiful
2022-02-15 23:07
0
Karrigan will be the reason as always
2022-02-15 23:13
0
5 replies
LOL
2022-02-15 23:22
0
That was funny :))
2022-02-15 23:25
0
#52
 | 
Norway jerrick
+1
2022-02-15 23:38
0
BUG
2022-02-16 03:51
0
xaxaxaxaxaxxaxaxaxaxaxaxxa
2022-02-16 05:59
0
cmon you were the best player on the team on decider map... congratz
2022-02-15 23:18
0
wp with new team as a standin
2022-02-15 23:21
0
poor dude
2022-02-15 23:23
0
Nice talk. Haven't seen a nice interview like that in a while. And no Striker, you are not the main reason for it but you are the one that got him in front of the mic so maybe... a bit. ;)
2022-02-15 23:31
0
soon -rain +jks and stop talkin shit about a few good maps for rain in last month. Olof also had good games where he had 30 kills and was top fraggin but overall rain is so inconsistent.
2022-02-15 23:34
0
11 replies
I’m a jks fan but he cannot replace Rain. Rain very aggressive jks very passive
2022-02-15 23:50
0
3 replies
But with Twistzz and ropz, jks might be a perfect replacement for rain if/when the time comes.
2022-02-16 00:10
0
2 replies
jks is not very good at playing aggressive. Ropz is very passive and twistzz is kinda neutral. Karrigan would be the only entry on the team. Jks would be better on like Liquid where there’s less role conflict
2022-02-16 00:13
0
This is why everyone was saying jks was a great pick for a stand-in for ropz. They are very similar playstyle wise and have similar spots. Surprised how well he's playing considering he basically took 2 months off the game
2022-02-16 00:23
0
#58
 | 
Europe asierpark
totally different roles
2022-02-16 00:04
0
Make no sense to replace rain with jks and rain is still one of the best entries.
2022-02-16 01:23
0
#81
 | 
Indonesia lukerey
0 iq. Do u even watch faze play? Or u just talk non sense out of your brain? Both very different player. Like way different. And no one on faze play as aggressive as rain or karrigan or broky sometimes. And he is still a fuckin decent entry fragger too. Meanwhile jks is similar to ropz. Same playstyle. Both have all the skill to clutch so they play so passive till later rounds. Moron.
2022-02-16 01:35
0
yeah, replace entry with a lurker. Tactical genius
2022-02-16 03:50
0
3 replies
any roles jks will be better than rain
2022-02-16 09:27
0
2 replies
tell me you are know little about CS without telling me you know little about CS
2022-02-16 09:36
0
what? what is your basis for this? Rain is fine and still currently an asset to faze. Jks would not entry better than rain
2022-02-16 10:39
0
#51
 | 
United States cybonics
aww
2022-02-15 23:37
0
Really seems like a nice guy, idk why people are hating on him.
2022-02-15 23:42
0
1 reply
People only can see "bad, the worst, shocking content" like its way "better" than good things. Nowadays its more bad People than kind People
2022-02-16 01:14
0
#56
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
United Kingdom xeLaa
Wishing him the best
2022-02-15 23:48
0
Canadian CS pog
2022-02-16 00:12
0
1 reply
#62
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Canada loldougie
Lmao +1
2022-02-16 00:15
0
#63
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Canada loldougie
<3 JKS I don't know how people are making hate threads about this guy on HLTV. It always amazes me how many braindeads use this forum.
2022-02-16 00:15
0
#70
NiKo | 
African Union revv0o
jks GOAT, get this guy a team
2022-02-16 00:42
0
#71
Faceit level 10  | 
BiBiAhn | 
Russia weaveRRR
jksavage <3 faze will not forget you
2022-02-16 00:43
0
jks the best
2022-02-16 00:43
0
Absolute beast, Top 20 two years in a row for a reason. Had a really good IGL in AZR who put his star players in position to carry the team. Sad that so many people magically think he's no good because of the way he was used playing under BlameF. Now a top 20 guy in the world is sitting on the bench with no team. If I was Jks I'd be pissed, way too god of a player and lad to be stuck on the bench.
2022-02-16 01:22
0
4 replies
+1
2022-02-16 01:42
0
+1
2022-02-16 04:28
0
+1
2022-02-16 07:05
0
+1 he was not given a chance to shine in Complexity. Hopefully he gets back into tier 1 soon, he deserves to be at the top again
2022-02-17 08:49
0
#80
 | 
Indonesia lukerey
Then get good, Justin. Or tarik will fly to Katowice to replace u.
2022-02-16 01:32
0
#88
 | 
Russia I_D_R_C
ty Mr.savage.though I had more expectations on you ,but the result is good anyway.
2022-02-16 02:34
0
#95
 | 
India taco9873
Jks a monster Literal monster
2022-02-16 04:12
0
Just live at an international airport... They love that.
2022-02-16 04:15
0
respect!
2022-02-16 05:06
0
Nice Guy! Btw how does it work financially? Does he get paid for standing in by FaZe or just gets practice since he is still on contract with Col?
2022-02-16 05:35
0
2 replies
I'd say most likely paid by CoL, with Faze paying CoL for whatever time he's with them.
2022-02-16 08:20
0
1 reply
ta
2022-02-16 12:14
0
top fragger. glad to see
2022-02-16 07:00
0
#108
 | 
Russia Raum0
Strongest canadian player
2022-02-16 07:03
0
u will
2022-02-16 07:05
0
#114
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Brazil yan_rulez
Still bringing huge performances.
2022-02-16 08:13
0
just get this guy on the NIP team he is 1000 times better than REZ and they talk english anyway
2022-02-16 08:22
0
2 replies
#131
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
markeloff | 
Brazil diixon
Why dont keep REZ with him? Just -plopski or -es3tag
2022-02-16 15:07
0
1 reply
the whole team should disband
2022-02-19 17:44
0
#124
 | 
Canada JC_123
Canadian legend
2022-02-16 10:35
0
Lets goooo Justin! Solid work lad, ur doing great! :)
2022-02-16 10:39
0
Indian pride jks
2022-02-16 10:41
0
k1ng
2022-02-16 14:39
0
#132
 | 
India slavloli
JKS was always good. Aussie's are always hard working. Complexity was a very weird era for him(blamef baiting him for stats). He will definitely shine in a tier 1 team.
2022-02-16 16:32
0
1 reply
#152
 | 
India c0sm1z
+1
2022-02-20 16:44
0
top guy, hope he finds a team soon.
2022-02-16 16:34
0
nice guy, hope some1 picks him up
2022-02-16 18:50
0
HE IS SO FCKN HOTTT
2022-02-17 07:31
0
Love your work jks! Great news to hear you took a proper break and rested up, last year was pretty brutal on the mental, dealing with stand-ins and all sorts of bullshit. Hope he gets Faze deep into the tourney and then gets picked up by a solid tier 1 team in the middle of the year
2022-02-17 08:56
0
#139
 | 
France I9fe
Justin Savage <3
2022-02-17 09:28
0
glhf buddy
2022-02-17 16:55
0
#144
 | 
Canada AyyyJayyy
JKS Honourary Canadian <3
2022-02-18 03:57
0
You gotta love this guy. I watched his games and it's fairly interesting seeing him literally evolve map after map. He has the talent and he puts in the work, he deserves better. MR SAVAGE! You deserve better.
2022-02-20 16:37
0
1 reply
#151
 | 
India c0sm1z
+1
2022-02-20 16:44
0
#155
Faceit premium user Faceit level 9 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
SPERMY | 
Norway hemy
Well, Karrigan was the reason. Your good m8
2022-02-21 16:26
0
lmao now he's gonna win it with them
2022-02-27 21:57
0
#157
 | 
United States fade4182
Proceeds to win
2022-02-27 22:21
0
1 reply
lmao it be like that sometimes
2022-02-27 22:30
0
YESSIR!
2022-02-27 22:23
0
Historic
2022-02-27 22:25
0
JUSTIN SAVAGE!
2022-02-27 22:25
0
all-star
2022-02-27 22:26
0
Chad, kept his word and won the event instead
2022-02-27 22:27
0
YOU WERE FUKIN ONE OF THE REASON THEY WON
2022-02-27 22:27
0
#164
 | 
United Kingdom VenoK
Jks the goat
2022-02-27 22:28
0
#165
 | 
Ukraine krtola
I was here
2022-02-27 22:28
0
Aged well
2022-02-27 22:29
0
From "not wanting to be the reason the guys drop out of the tournament" to fucking winning that shit. What an absolute gigachad.
2022-02-27 22:29
0
#168
 | 
Vietnam Gef_3m
My man really kept his word. JKS DA GOAT NO CAP!!!!
2022-02-27 22:30
0
King
2022-02-27 22:30
0
Goat
2022-02-27 22:30
0
#172
 | 
Faroe Islands Lcebaby
He is the reason these guy won the tournament
2022-02-27 22:31
0
#174
 | 
Turkey _TT
he is the REAL deal
2022-02-27 22:31
0
Aged like a fine wine!
2022-02-27 22:31
0
#176
 | 
Europe tsken
This aged REALLY well :D
2022-02-27 22:31
0
He lived up to his word for sure, 100% wr
2022-02-27 22:31
0
#178
 | 
China Richoni
Legendary player.Deserves all glory!
2022-02-27 22:32
0
EHE FUCKIN WON IT FOREM
2022-02-27 22:33
0
this aged well :))
2022-02-27 22:34
0
Chad
2022-02-27 22:35
0
you were the reason we won, legend. DELUSIONAL_JKS_FAN would be proud
2022-02-27 22:35
0
Legend
2022-02-27 22:37
0
what a goat
2022-02-27 22:37
0
kept kis word
2022-02-27 22:37
0
#186
 | 
North America drac0zGOD
W Jks WHAT A GOAT
2022-03-01 04:43
0
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