Beauden Barrett first met the 20-year-old in the Hurricanes changing rooms. Barrett hasn't played with the dynamic hooker often but he, like many, is enthused at his potential after watching him terrorise opponents in the Mitre 10 Cup this season.
"He was so quiet - I was wondering who he was and where he came from," Barrett recalled. "It seemed like he was fresh out of school. Out on the training paddock he carved up and we were told he had been held back and wasn't allowed to play so we said 'sign him up quick he's pretty good'.
"He's very excited. If he gets the opportunity I can't wait to see him go. He's just a kid, too, so we can't put mountains of pressure on him. It will be good to see him learn off the other experienced hookers."