After a break-out season in the ITM Cup it was little surprise to hear barn-storming loose-forward Ardie Savea’s name read out as the Hurricanes announced their squad for the 2013 Super XV competition.
Savea, younger brother to All Black winger Julian, was in scintillating form for Wellington in this year’s provincial competition, encouraging some commentators to draw comparisons between the young tear-away and the great Michael ‘Iceman’ Jones.
Born in 1993, Savea is a product of the Rongotai College 1st XV, and has already represented New Zealand at senior level on the Sevens circuit, where coaching guru Gordon Tietjens immediately recognised his freakish athleticism and agility.
With phenomenal pace considering his size, Savea prefers to wear the number 7 jersey, although his general physical capabilities mean he is equally at home in all three loose-forward roles
Tipping the scales at 97kg during the 2012 ITM Cup campaign, the 19-year old hopes to bulk up before taking on the might of South Africa and Australia in the Super XV. Regardless of his size, if his 2012 season is anything to go by, Ardie Savea has a very bright future ahead of him indeed, and he will undoubtedly be an asset to the Hurricanes as they chase that elusive first title.