Hardie (23) starts at openside flanker for the Highlanders against the Crusaders tonight and it is a role he wants to make his own.
For the past two years he has had to live in the shadow of Alando Soakai. Soakai was the starter on the openside flank and Hardie was a rare sighting at kick-off time.
When he did get the No 7 jersey on his back, he did well, standing out in the upset win against the Crusaders in Nelson last year.
So the potential is there, and with Soakai now off in Japan, Hardie has the opening to take hold of the No 7 jersey.
"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity. This season really feels much more exciting and I'm definitely feeling the pressure," he said.
"But you want that pressure. It makes you play well. There are guys here who are going to give you plenty of competition - like Doug [Tietjens] and [James] Haskell - for your spot, so you can't really rest.
Hardie said there was no time to rest during training, as coach Jamie Joseph might not say much, but he was always watching.
Those two years on the sidelines, Hardie said, were sometimes frustrating. But he now sees it was a valuable opportunity to think about his own game, while learning from others.
"You learn more about your game and there was always that incentive to keep training hard as you'd get some game time."
If anyone seemed to benefit from Hardie's time on the sideline it was Southland, as the Lumsden man had a great season for the Stags last year, being awarded the team's player of the year.
"I was pretty happy with my game last year with Southland and hopefully, I can keep that going up here. But Super 15 is another step up. A lot more physical and a lot quicker."
Hardie had a small operation on his left thumb after the ITM Cup last season to fix up some loose tendons but he said that was all behind him and he was keen to hit the ground running.
"This is a big year for us. Last year was a building one for us with getting a new team together and getting the game plan sorted out. Now we've got many of those guys back ...hope it goes well."
Hardie will team up with Adam Thomson and Elliot Dixon in the loose forwards for the Highlanders tonight, although that combination will not last long, as substitutions will be made in the first hit-out of the year.
Lima Sopoaga gets the first chance to cement the No 10 jersey, with Colin Slade still injured.
The Crusaders have rested most of their All Blacks but still have quality in their backline, with Ryan Crotty looking to have a big year following the departure of Sonny Bill Williams for the Chiefs.
The weather is forecast to be fine for the match at Rugby Park.
Highlanders v Crusaders
Greymouth, today, 5.45pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Telusa Veainu, Kendrick Lynn, Glenn Dickson, Kade Poki, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Adam Thomson, Culum Retallick, Daniel Ramsay, Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore (captain), Bronson Murray. Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Chris King, Hoani MacDonald, Doug Tietjens, Aaron Smith, Kurt Baker, Chris Noakes, Buxton Popoali'i, Nemia Kenatale, Nick Crosswell, Brayden Mitchell, Nasi Manu.
Crusaders: Tom Marshall, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock, Tyler Bleyendaal, Willi Heinz, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Tom Donnelly, Ross Kennedy, Nick Barnett, Quentin MacDonald, Wyatt Crockett (captain). Reserves: Joe Moody, Ben Franks, Sam Prattley, Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor, Luke Romano, Dominic Bird, Brendon O'Connor, George Whitelock, Mark Swanepoel, Mitchell Scott, Patrick Osborne, Andy Ellis.
