But, sports experience, as opposed to the rugby kind, gives Leger some unprecedented advantages in handling the expected pressure.
A three-time New Zealand Under-20s representative, Leger, 24, has also played Touch and softball at a national level and last year was co-captain of the Counties Manukau NPC side. He made seven Super Rugby appearances for the Blues in 2018 and three for the Chiefs in 2019.
With Simon Hickey and Jackson Garden-Bachop both out with injuries, Leger has been the preferred option to step into the role.
Coach Jason Holland said: "Orbs has been training with us at 10 and has had a good week with the boys and is dominating things, so we're looking forward to seeing him go.
"He's an attacking-minded player, which we like. He's left-footed, and a really good kicker of the ball, and will be a good threat at the line. He'll get into our systems nicely and add a good dimension to our attack," he said.
There had been some consideration to playing Jordie Barrett in the role, but they were confident in Leger, and that Barrett would help him.
"Orbs has spent three weeks watching and learning, and getting amongst the boys, and he's got to the stage now where he's really confident in the lads and I know he's a good footy player," Holland said.
Wing Salesi Rayasi will also start. He had been working hard on parts of his game, especially off the ball, he said.
It was unlucky for Wes Goosen, who had done nothing wrong, but in the interests of squad development, it was important to give players opportunities.
Hooker Ricky Riccitelli starts at hooker with Dane Coles still a week away from being available while Asafo Aumua was rehabilitating the shoulder injury he suffered against the Crusaders, and it wasn't know how long he would be out for.
Against the Chiefs, the Hurricanes would aim to eliminate errors that released the pressure on opponents. That was a downfall in both of their games.
"Against good teams in this comp [competition] you can't get away with that so if we can get rid of those moments we feel like we can be competitive with any team, and dominant," he said.
Both teams were desperate to win.
"We want to start well. We know the Chiefs will start well. They'll be up for it and it will be a physical battle early. We started well last week and could go for 20 [minutes] so we need to start well and see how long we can do things well for," he said.
While they were winless so far, the fact there was a final in the competition this year offered the incentive that if they could improve week by week and keep themselves in consideration they could keep fighting for a final berth, he said.