Chiefs winger James Lowe is keen to take another step up the ladder when he faces Hurricanes star Julian Savea in the Super Rugby clash in Wellington on Saturday night.
Lowe was in discussions with the All Blacks selectors before a shoulder injury brought an abrupt end to his season last year and now he is looking forward to mixing it with one of the best in the game.
The 23-year-old - who has already played twice for the New Zealand Maori - isn't writing his opposite off either despite Savea's slow start to the season.
"On his day Julian is the winger of our generation that everyone is going to remember," Lowe said.
"It's something you look forward to - it's a challenge you either step forward or step back so I'm pretty excited."
He wouldn't be drawn on his chances of making Steve Hansen's squad to face Wales in June despite being part of a side that has scored 37 tries in seven games to top the Super Rugby competition.
He also believes they are in a good space heading into this New Zealand derby against the Hurricanes after a bye last weekend.
The Chiefs played in four countries over five weeks where they won all their games despite missing several key players through injury.
"It was a long haul that first seven weeks, we travelled around the world and played game after game. My own bed felt like a hotel almost so the break was really timely," Lowe said.
"The injuries challenged our depth and I think with that we have come out alright - it's part of the game so we just got on with it."
