Hurricanes lock Scott Scrafton says the team can't wait to see All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea make his long-awaited return from against the Blues at Eden Park on Sunday.
Savea has been named on the bench in what will be his first game since the All Blacks' defeat to England at last year's Rugby World Cup in Japan nearly eight months ago.
After undergoing surgery at the end of 2019 Savea was expected to miss the entire Super Rugby season, but with COVID-19 bringing the sporting world to a halt, the 26-year-old has recovered and is eager to get back on the field.
Savea's return will be a massive boost for the Hurricanes, as they have eight grueling games in 10 weeks against the other New Zealand franchises in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
"I'm really excited to see him unleashed," Scrafton told reporters about Savea's return.
"He hasn't played for a long time, but at training he has been roaring. I know he's ready."
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland expects Savea to come on early in the second half.
While the return of 2019 All Blacks Player of the Year Savea is a big boost, it's been overshadowed by the return of Beauden Barrett, who has been named at fullback against his former team.
Barrett spent nine years at the Hurricanes before announcing a move to Auckland to join the Blues.
Like Savea, Barrett hasn't played since the Rugby World Cup.
"We know how Beaudy plays," Holland said. "We have seen him play really well for the Hurricanes and seen him play poorly for the Hurricanes, so we have an idea about how we can put him under pressure.
Last time the two teams met, the Blues claimed a 24-15 win in Wellington in March.
Super Rugby Aotearoa will be the first professional rugby union competition to resume on Saturday when the Highlanders host the Chiefs.
Join us at 3pm Sunday for live updates of the Blues v Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa clash.
