Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett is encouraging Ardie Savea to unleash his eye-catching provincial form on Super Rugby when the teenage flanker makes his debut against the NSW Waratahs this weekend.
The prodigiously talented Savea, 19, has endured a frustrating start to 2013, serving a four-week ban for a tip-tackle during the Hurricanes’ final pre-season match.
He then had to prove his fitness to Hammett in three games for the development team before getting the nod for Saturday’s home match.
“Just getting back on the field and getting minutes was good,” Savea said.
“To get four weeks, obviously it was frustrating but, for me, it took me back and made me realise I needed an opportunity to still learn and just to watch things.
“Hopefully now I can perform.”
The younger brother of teammate and All Blacks winger Julian, Savea shone in last year’s NPC, using his footwork and acceleration to make a host of dazzling runs.
Hammett said even though Super Rugby was a significant step up in physicality, he didn’t want 98kg Savea to lose his athleticism nor to become a traditional scavenging No.7 in the mould of Waratahs opposite Michael Hooper.
“I don’t want to put any shackles on at the moment, it’s more micro-detail around what he needs to do,” Hammett said.
“He’s got all the skill and the speed. He doesn’t really know how to take a backward step, which is good.”
Savea is one of three changes to the forward pack that started in the 46-30 home defeat of the Southern Kings last week.
Jeremy Thrush (ankle) and hooker Dane Coles (thumb) sustained injuries and make way for Mark Reddish and Motu Matu’u respectively.
A cloud hangs over No.8 Victor Vito, who has a calf niggle and will be assessed closer to kick-off. He has been bracketed with Faifili Levave.
Savea fills the jersey worn in solid fashion to date by Karl Lowe, who has been released this weekend along with wider training squad member Mike Coman to take leave in Hawke’s Bay.
Both are good friends of Hawke’s Bay provincial teammate Chris Eaton, whose wife Hannah died in a road accident on Saturday. A service is expected to be held in Hastings this weekend.
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith, Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito/Faifili Levave, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Jason Eaton, Mark Reddish, Ben May, Motu Matu’u, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, James Broadhurst, Levave/Jack Lam, Chris Smylie, Tusi Pisi, Reynold Lee-Lo.