The Hurricanes aren't holding back in their appraisal of captain Ardie Savea, following his game-winning heroics in his side's Super Rugby Pacific victory over the Blues.
Down 32-14 inside the final 10 minutes, the Hurricanes rallied with three late tries in Dunedin, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat for their first win of 2021.
At the heart of the performance was Savea. The 28-year-old made 15 tackles, and ran for 57 metres in his 80 minutes of action, as well as scoring the all-important match-winning try to give the Hurricanes victory.
Saturday's showing was just the latest in a growing list of individual displays from Savea, who in 2021 captained the All Blacks for the first time, and was acknowledged as the New Zealand men's player of the year.
And for teammate Jordie Barrett, Savea's display only showed his worth to the Hurricanes, as the Wellington side this year looks for its first title since 2016.
"I guess, there's plenty of ways you can sum up Ardie," Barrett tells Newshub.
"He just leads by his actions, what you see is what you get. He's an unbelievable leader.
"He has the respect of all the boys, and time and time again delivers for the Hurricanes.
"He's special."
Barrett's words were echoed by coach Jason Holland, who instilled Savea as the Hurricanes' captain in 2021, following years of leadership from another fellow All Black, Dane Coles.
"He leads by example - you see that when he gets his hands on the ball," adds Holland.
"It was some turn of gas last night, wasn't it?
"The boys follow him, we've got a great group of leaders that are in behind him. It's ticking along nicely."
The Hurricanes are in action again when Super Rugby Pacific continues, facing the Highlanders in Wellington on Saturday.
Join Newshub for live updates of Super Rugby Pacific from 7:05pm Saturday.
