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Hurricanes chief executive reveals Ardie Savea could return from injury earlier than expected
By Online Editors
Injured All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea could be back in Super Rugby action as early as March.
The blockbusting Hurricanes star took to social media on Sunday to notify his followers that he would be out of action for five to six months as he undergoes knee surgery next week.
However, Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said his franchise's star man could return two to three months earlier than first anticipated.
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"There's an issue with his cartilage and there is a bit of speculation about how long he will be out for, but you never really know until the surgeon has operated and seen the real extent of the issue," he told Stuff.
"The prognosis at this stage is best-case scenario he's back playing in three months, but it could be five or six months.
"We're not holding to any date because some people heal well, some people have complications post-surgery, some people come back quicker than others. You've got to be really careful about putting a date on it."
"Obviously we've got some good coaches already, and realistically to go to the market now for a competition that's already in it's pre-season would be incredibly difficult," he told Stuff.
"There are people on the market, but to bring someone in cold would be pretty challenging, and like I said we've got some really good people who are already here, been through planning and known by the team."
The Hurricanes get their 2020 Super Rugby campaign underway against the Stormers in Cape Town on February 1.
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Latest Comments
I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
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