PLAYOFF EXCLUSIVE
Ardie Savea hair isn't the only thing that's been growing in 2016.
The Hurricanes flanker's reputation both within rugby circles and among the fans in the stands has increased at a similar rate to his trademark locks.
Savea is a contradiction in terms. His hair and tattoos makes him instantly recognisable, his play is the sort of stuff made for ESPN plays of the week.
None of it really fits with the 22-year-old's humble off-field persona, something that leapt out as he talked to www.hurricanes.co.nz ahead of Saturday's Investec Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Sharks at Westpac Stadium.
If there has been a singular highlight for Savea in 2016 it has undoubtedly been achieving his boyhood dream of becoming an All Black when he made his test debut against Wales at Eden Park in Auckland.
However, it was what happened on his home ground of Westpac Stadium a week later that he will reflect upon when runs out against the Sharks.
"I'm not going to deny it, for me it was unreal," Savea said when asked what it felt like to have 35,000 fans chanting his name after he'd come on in the 61st minute of the second test against Wales. "It gave me goose bumps when I heard that chant. I was trying to listen to Reado [Kieran Read] giving us instructions when I heard it and I was thinking 'what are they saying?', then I realised it was my name.
"I didn't know what to say at the time, but it was uplifting to have all that faith in me out there. For me I was blessed to be in that position. I got a bit of stick after the game from Colesy [Dane Coles] and the other boys, but it's something you have to cherish and just ride with it."
Savea grew up in Wellington, his earliest rugby memories of playing knee-rugby in the Oriental Rongotai club rooms with his brother Julian after watching his dad Masina, uncle and mum Lina all wear the club colours at the Polo Ground in Miramar.
His affection for his club, his suburb and his city run deep. They were a big driver when he resigned with the Hurricanes recently through to 2018 and will be a motivating force during Saturday's quarterfinal when he hopes a similar sized crowd will cheer on the Canes.
"It's awesome to have that local support. To play in Wellington and get on the field in front of family and friends, the All Blacks fans, the Hurricanes fans, for them to show that appreciation is something that's hard to explain. I'm just very grateful for that support. I don't think I'll ever forget it."
He's unsure if the 'Ardie, Ardie' chant will catch on, but is certain that becoming an All Black in June gave him a shot in the arm.
"When you aren't in the All Blacks you dream of trying to make that team and once you get in there it's like what now? For me it's made me even hungrier. I want to stay there and keep pushing myself to another level.
"Coming back to Super has made me hungrier than ever. I'm more excited now than I was at the start of the season. I think that's the same for all the All Blacks who have come back."
Savea's enthusiasm has been evident since the June break. There's been furious note taking in team meetings, a spring in his step at training, and, more than anything, the smile that's rarely left his face.
Though he was a project player with the All Blacks back in 2013, he said he hadn't been entirely prepared for how much he would learn as a full member of the squad.
"You are learning off some of the best players in the world every day and when you get in there you realise why they are the best in the world. You learn a lot about the game, your own position, yourself as a person.
"Playing next to Kieran Read and Jerome [Kaino]. They have been in that jersey for a while and seeing how they train, how they analyse others, how they prepare. It's world class.
"I'm trying to pick that up for myself so I can improve and hopefully I can come back here and help the other guys at the Hurricanes improve too."
Continue to do that and Savea hopes the team can give itself the best possible chance of achieving their next goal, which is to play to their potential against the Sharks from 7:35pm this Saturday night.