Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
Ardie Savea, who will captain the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific, will lead by example in 2021.
All Blacks striker Ardie Savea has again been named Hurricanes captain.
Savea, who received the prestigious Kel Tremain Trophy at the 2021 NZ Rugby annual awards in recognition of his exceptional form throughout the season, said he was “honoured” to lead the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby Pacific season .
Sky Sports
The Hurricanes edge ahead of the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific pre-season clash.
When Savea take on the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific first round in Dunedin on Saturday night, it will mark his 109th cap for the franchise since making his debut in 2013.
“Obviously we’re starting the new season in our team bubbles here at Queenstown, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Savea said.
READ MORE:
* Loose All Blacks striker Ardie Savea re-signs with NZ Rugby until 2025, option for 2024 sabbatical
* Super Rugby: Hurricanes add Waikato and Chiefs midfielder Bailyn Sullivan to their roster for 2022
* Super Rugby: Hurricanes confident of re-signing Ardie Savea, half-back complications continue
“We can’t wait to get home and play in front of our fans at Sky Stadium (in Wellington).”
With New Zealand currently under red light, due to Covid-19, all six New Zealand-based teams will be based in Queenstown for at least the first three rounds of the competition.
An epidemic of Covid-19 in the workforce of Moana Pasifika forced their match against the Blues, scheduled for Friday evening, to be postponed. Moana Pasifika’s team isolate themselves in their hotel.
Savea, who made his debut for the Hurricanes against the Waratahs nine years ago, has been a member of the All Blacks since 2016. He was part of the Hurricanes team that won the Super Rugby title the same year.
He led the All Blacks to victory in the Rugby Championship, but handed over the leadership to Sam Whitelock when he returned to duty for the tour of the northern hemisphere of the United States and Europe.
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said he was “thrilled” to have Savea back as captain.
“Ardie is entering his tenth season with the club and has become an integral part of our leadership group and the history of the Hurricanes as a club,” Holland said.
“Ardie has led the team in his own way from his debut in 2013 until today and the players are following his example
“He’s really grown as a leader in our environment, and it’s a testament to the work he’s put into himself, both on and off the pitch.”
