Ardie Savea named Hurricanes captain for upcoming Super Rugby Aotearoa season

Hurricanes have confirmed that New Zealand international Ardie Savea has been appointed the club captain for the 2021 season of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Savea has been with Hurricanes since 2013 and has made 99 appearances for them since then. He was part of the Hurricanes side that went on to win the Super Rugby title in 2016.

“This is getting out of my comfort zone, but I feel like this is a time to step up and I’ve got a lot of great leaders beside me, as well as Colesy, who I’ve been observing. He’s a man of action, which is what I’m big on too," he told the club's official website.

“I’m also big on connection and family, which are part of our team values. We’ve got great leaders who can lead on and off the field, so for me it’s about bringing each individual’s strengths out.”

The 27-year-old has also played 49 Tests for New Zealand since his international debut in 2016 and played five Tests in the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland is confident that Savea has the potential to lead the club to a successful campaign.

“Ardie has been an integral part of our club for a long time and has the complete respect of everyone.”

“He has played a major part in leading this team in his own way for the last few years and the boys will be desperate to follow him in the way they have followed Colesy and TJ in recent years.”