Hurricanes Asafo Aumua celebrates. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua's game has gone to new heights in 2024 under Clark Laidlaw.
After lighting up the NPC in his debut season, Aumua was quickly touted as an All Black superstar.
The sight of the hulking hooker skinning All Blacks winger George Bridge was something to behold and it seemed as though Dane Coles 2.0 had arrived.
However, Aumua has yet to fulfil his immense promise on the international stage.
Playing just six tests starting in 2020, Aumua has been plagued by injury and inconsistent form.
But under Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw, the Silverstream product has forced himself into contention for the All Blacks number two jersey with several standout performances.
Laidlaw said Aumua had come of age in 2024.
Photo: Photosport
"He's settled off the field. He's got a family now. He's had some ups and downs around form and injury and he's been an All Black and so all those experiences helped create maturity in athletes and rugby players and you're starting to see that."
A more cerebral approach to his game had enabled him to thrive on field.
"He understands what it takes for him to prepare really well and even with his rehab in addition to that. The way he rehabbed this time compared to a couple of years ago was night and day which allowed them to come back last week ready to play."
Aumua had developed into a "really strong professional", Laidlaw said.
"He's always had that power and running game but the set piece and the consistency that everybody's been craving in him, he's finally achieving that, and he's playing really well because of it."
The Hurricanes will play the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon.
Kick off is at 4.35pm.