All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea will captain the Hurricanes again for the 2023 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
Savea, who will have his 11th season in the side, will mark his first appearance in the competition by playing his 120th game.
The Hurricanes’ season opens against the Reds in round one.
Savea said: “I’m looking forward to the season, especially getting out to the communities, when we play in Levin against the Crusaders for our pre-season game and Palmerston North against the Western Force on Sunday, April 2.
“We’ve just moved into our new facility, and there’s something awesome about change; it’s brought in a lot of energy. It’s refreshing to come in and be in a new space alongside other professional teams. Hopefully, being here can help us move forward and prepare well for our games.”
The facility is part of the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport at what was the Central Institute of Technology at Trentham and houses, several Wellington-based teams.
Coach Jason Holland was delighted to be able to call on Savea’s leadership ability again.
“Ardie is a special leader. He’s the sort of guy you want to follow in whatever he does. He’s worked hard at his leadership around all the small details, around how to get the best out of the people around him.
“He’s been good at driving us as a group, players and management, about being well-planned and clear in our roles in what we’re leading.
“Ards has a great relationship with all the boys and cares about them and the team and that shows in the way he leads.”
