Ardie Savea switches to Japan and he's explained why
New Zealand forward Ardie Savea says the opportunity to earn a significant payday was the main reason behind his decision to join Japan's Kobelco Kobe Steelers after the Rugby World Cup this year.
Savea, who has played 70 times for the All Blacks, will lead the Wellington Hurricanes into the upcoming Super Rugby season and will make the move to Japan once the Rugby World Cup has been completed in France in October.
"Plain and simple - to set up my family. The money's good, I'm not going to lie," Savea said of his reason for the switch.
"It's an opportunity to set up my family and also to try something new. It's a bit of a challenge and hopefully it puts me on my toes.
"Not that I'm not on my toes here, but there's just something about going into a new environment and feeling young and being a rookie again.
"Hopefully that sparks something in me to keep going for a few more years."
Savea is one of several high-profile All Blacks who will leave Ne w Zealand to play in Japan, with Richie Mo'unga previously announcing he will join Tokyo-based Toshiba Brave Lupus with his All Blacks teammate Shannon Frizell.
Others are expected to follow upon the conclusion of the World Cup and Savea admitted he wanted to sign-off on the move as soon as possible to avoid missing out on the opportunity.
"To be honest, I just put the feelers out and whatever club came first that was interested I was just keen to get a signed deal," said Savea.
"Obviously, it's post-World Cup so there are so many players looking to go to Japan and international quotas would get filled up so I just wanted to get in early."
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The main problem with the ABs is the captaincy - Barrett is mia and has no influence with refs.
Speaking of refs - Gardner is a disgrace and the only positive thing I have to say about him is - he wont be reffing the Wallabies. Egotistical, inconsistent and myopic - simply woeful.
Go to commentsYes but the sovereign of NZ is an English King not Maori. The dominant and ruling culture is not Maori. England also has a long history of Christianity so perhaps the Christian hymn would fit better in that country than the Pagan Haka in NZ(also a Christian country)?
England has historical links to their old colonies and in fairness 'Swing Low' its a better choice than a supremacist song.
Kiwis are indulged a lot getting the Haka played at every match in the order they insist on. In short.... lets all accept each others little cultural quirks without the self righteousness and over policing?
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