Ardie Savea's playing return was a pleasing highlight of yesterday's Super Rugby Aotearoa defeat to the Blues, Hurricanes coach Jason Holland says.
Not having played since last year's Rugby World Cup due to a knee injury, Savea yesterday returned to the field, coming off the bench as the Hurricanes fell to a 30-20 loss at Eden Park.
And while he struggled to impact the result the way he would have done in 2019, when he was named New Zealand's player of the year, Savea's return was a welcome sight for his coach.
"I know he was excited and a bit nervous," Holland told media after the match.
"It's been a long time since he's played any footy. But he'll be better for the run.
"He's just happy to be back on the field, I think."
Holland also says that he doesn't know when Savea will be able to start matches, with the Hurricanes to host Super Rugby champions the Crusaders in Wellington next Sunday.
"We'll reassess and see how he comes through today.
"Hopefully he's ready to go and gets a few more minutes under the belt."
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