"He's a guy who's pretty set on learning and improving his game," Hammett said of the younger Barrett, who has only four Super Rugby caps.
"He's very confident in terms of leading this group around and he has a very good rugby brain on him for such a young bloke. So those are several things we like about him. He's committed to getting better, he obviously wanted to get bigger and he's obviously done that throughout the campaign and now we're starting to see that in his defence. He's got a massive kick on him. He seems to handle pressure well, so once again, it's really important we don't put too much pressure on the young bloke because he's young and he will make mistakes. He works very hard at his game and he's an exciting bloke to be around and I'll be very surprised in time if he isn't pushing for higher honours."
There's a few character references for the CV there from his coach, but Barrett's true worth will be measured on the paddock this season.
The former Francis Douglas Memorial College student made his debut for the Hurricanes as a 19-year-old in South Africa last year and will begin his second season - and first campaign on a full-time contract - also in the Republic.
Hammett said Barrett was up to the challenge this weekend, and given his pre-season form and how well he had driven the team around the park to date he deserved a crack. "He brings a lot of positives with him. He's a young guy learning a lot."
Barrett will mark up against another rookie pivot in the form of Gary van Aswegen, who also has only a handful of Super Rugby appearances to his name.
The home side have named an interesting starting XV that includes Springbok winger Bryan Habana in the No 13 jersey.
Habana will be marked by Conrad Smith, and the new Hurricanes' captain might find himself gasping for air after the first 10 minutes following a limited pre-season that hasn't included any time on the field in a warm-up fixture.
By putting his hand up to play on minimal preparation, it's a signal of intent from the World Cup-winner that he takes the new role seriously and should provide a lift for his team that has a wildly inexperienced bench, including four players who could make their Super Rugby debut if they take the field.
Hammett said Smith would be monitored during the game and if he looked out on his feet would be pulled, considering they had adequate back-up in the midfield in the reserves in Charlie Ngatai.
"I expect the same high standards that Conrad always comes out with. He's been outstanding since he's come back in to the camp," Hammett said.
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Tim Bateman, Alapati Leiua, Beauden Barrett, Chris Eaton; Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Ben May, Dane Coles, Tristan Moran. Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, TJ Perenara, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Charlie Ngatai.
Stormers: Joe Pietersen, Gerhard van den Heever, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Gio Aplon, Gary van Aswegen, Dewaldt Duvenage; Nick Koster, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger (captain), Andries Bekker, Eben Etzebeth, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, De Kock Steenkamp, Siya Kolisi, Louis Schreuder, Burton Francis, Marcel Brache.
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