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Ardie Savea signs with Moana Pasifika
By Ben Smith
Reigning World Player of the Year Ardie Savea has signed with Moana Pasifika for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season and beyond.
As first reported by the NZ Herald, Savea and both clubs confirmed the move this afternoon.
The deal is believed to be a three-year commitment with NZR, maintaining Savea's eligibility for the All Blacks until the end of 2027.
His switch will see his 11-year stint with the Hurricanes come to an end, where he debuted in 2013 and helped win a Super Rugby title in 2016.
He will re-unite with his brother Julian once again, having played together previously at the Hurricanes and with the All Blacks.
"I’ve got massive respect for my Hurricanes family and I loved serving them for 11 years," Savea said in a statement.
“But I think it’s the right time for a change and I spent a lot of quiet time with my family thinking about things before making this decision.
"To have this team show the love and support they have for me and my family is special. Knowing that, regardless of anything that might happen, they will look after me and my family – I think that means a lot."
Savea has Samoan heritage and is keen to represent his culture and give back to his roots.
“It will be huge to give back to my heritage and my culture in such a meaningful way," he said.
"My brother Julian has told me that this team was made for us so I can’t wait to get started.”
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee praised the impact that Savea has had on the club, and wished him well at his new team.
"Ardie is a Hurricanes legend and always will be," Lee said in a statement.
"We are all sad to see him go as he has made a massive contribution to our club. On behalf of everyone associated with the Hurricanes, we all wish him the very best."
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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