Ardie’s older sibling Julian will line up for his first game for the Hurricanes since 2018, making Saturday a very special day for the brothers.
The Hurricanes have not played a season opener in front of a Wellington crowd for eight years, which also happened to be a fixture against the Blues.
Head coach, Jason Holland, will rely on the squad’s experience as the team looks to kick off the season with a win.
Fraser Armstrong, Asafo Aumua, and Tyrel Lomax make up the starting front row with James Blackwell and Scott Scrafton given the locking duties.
Jonathan Taumateine has been awarded the start as halfback, whilst Bay of Plenty’s Luke Campbell eagerly awaits his Super Rugby debut from the bench.
He’s in good company though, joined by the likes of new All Black Peter Umaga-Jensen, Du’Plessis Kirifi, and Reed Prinsep.
In last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, the Hurricanes and Blues played out two superb games – the Blues won 30 – 20 at Eden Park, only for the Hurricanes to win 29 – 27 at Sky Stadium a few weeks later.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game is 7:05 pm and tickets are on sale HERE.
Jonathan Taumateine will be available at RLP today alongside Jason Holland from 11:45 am.
The Hurricanes squad to face the Blues is:
1. FRASER ARMSTRONG
2. ASAFO AUMUA
3. TYREL LOMAX
4. JAMES BLACKWELL
5. SCOTT SCRAFTON
6. VAEA FIFITA
7. ARDIE SAVEA [C]
8. DEVAN FLANDERS
9. JONATHAN TAUMATEINE
10. JACKSON GARDEN-BACHOP
11. JULIAN SAVEA
12. NGANI LAUMAPE
13. BILLY PROCTOR
14. WES GOOSEN
15. JORDIE BARRETT
RESERVES
16. RICKY RICCITELLI
17. XAVIER NUMIA
18. ALEX FIDOW
19. REED PRINSEP
20. DU’PLESSIS KIRIFI
21. LUKE CAMPBELL
22. PETER UMAGA-JENSEN
23. SALESI RAYASI