Demands of playing eight local derbies across 10 weeks might be taking its toll on players in Super Rugby Aotearoa but it should be no surprise that one player not complaining is Hurricanes’ and All Blacks’ loose forward Ardie Savea.
The All Blacks, New Zealand Rugby and Super Rugby player of the year in 2019 returned from the injury he suffered in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in the early stages of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The more the season has gone, the more he has shown signs of the form that marked his season last year.
Savea said the competition had been demanding and his body was in bits at the moment.
But, he said, it had been good to have some rest and recovery ahead of Saturday's game with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
"I'm feeling it, three local derbies in a row and a fourth one coming up. It's the first time we've experienced that, especially myself. I'm sore but excited," he said.
It wasn't a case of assessing whether he was approaching his best form or not, after a long injury break, he was enjoying being able to play.
"I'm happy and enjoying life, footy is just a part of me. I'm just grateful I haven't been injured again," he said.
Not having been substituted in any of his games reflected the enjoyment he was feeling in playing.
While he had tasted success in Christchurch against the Crusaders, in 2016, he said his memory was so bad he couldn't remember it.
But it was always tough going south to play and it would be a case of the Hurricanes playing with no fear and some confidence.
He was getting used to playing at No 8 but had no preference for any of the loose forward positions. He was just happy to be on the field.
"You put me at 12 [second five-eighths] and start me in Ngani [Laumape's] position, I wouldn't mind that too," he said.
The Hurricanes had good depth in the loose forwards and competition was intense for places. They had a young leader coming through in Du'Plessis Kirifi on the openside flank while there was other good loose forwards and No 8 was where Jason Holland felt Savea could best contribute and he was embracing that challenge and adding strings to his bow.
News that a Pacific Islands team was under consideration in the future for the competition was something that gave him a lift because he believed New Zealand hadn't done enough for the game in the islands.
"To hear we are considering putting a Pacific Islands team in this new competition is amazing and I think it is great to give back to the islands and to the people who have given so much to this sport," he said.