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Hurricanes centre Tim Bateman praises the club's young guns

Image: Tim Bateman: Believes the Hurricanes can improve on last season's displays

Tim Bateman believes the Hurricanes can build on an encouraging 2012 Super Rugby season.

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Although the Hurricanes have some experienced campaigners in Conrad Smith, Ben Franks and Victor Vito, they have a core of exciting young players. "I started at the Crusaders in '07 so although I am only 25 I feel like one of the old ones," added Bateman. "The likes of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett are just 20/21 but the way they conduct themselves on and off the pitch is superb." One of the fresh young faces on the block will be Ardie Savea, the younger brother of the club's All Blacks winger Julian. And having already made his mark on the ITM Cup for Wellington, there is an expectation that he can now make the step up to Super Rugby. "Ardie is really young, just 19. He had a great ITM Cup and was the real find of the tournament," said Bateman. "He has pace and skill. He might be a loose forward but he can out-run wingers and is one of our quickest players. "When you see a loose forward that can step a full-back and score tries it is obviously exciting. "However he still needs to develop and bulk up a little. We also have some really good loose forwards at the club so there is a lot of competition for places."

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