Ardie Savea’s ‘preferred’ Super Rugby destination revealed amid speculation after Moana Pasifika’s demise
All Blacks star Ardie Savea.
Since the confirmation of Moana Pasifika’s disbandment, speculation has been rife over which Super Rugby Pacific club Ardie Savea will join next season.
The All Blacks star was set to return to Moana ahead of the 2027 campaign, once completing his latest sabbatical stint in Japan with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
While there is speculation around where several of the Pasifika stars will end up, interest around Savea has naturally gathered the most traction.
Ardie Savea’s preferred destination
The All Blacks centurion is contracted to New Zealand Rugby through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and unless the union grants an unprecedented third sabbatical spell in Japan, he is set to return to Super Rugby Pacific next season.
According to a report by The New Zealand Herald, the Blues have emerged as early theoretical favourites to snap up his services with Auckland being his preferred destination.
Earlier reports stated that Savea weighed up stepping down from the All Blacks last year, citing the need to spend more time with his family, who are based in Wellington. However, Moana had committed to accommodating his family in Auckland for the 2027 season and sources tell the Herald that the city remains his preference because of his business interests, including his clothing label ‘Asav’.
If the Blues are able to fulfil the same accommodations, they could well be in the driving seat for his signature, with the report adding that the Blues would have the ‘financial capability to offer Savea the most lucrative deal too.
They could well be in the market for a back-rower with Dalton Papali’i signing with Castres, and Hoskins Sotutu is off to the Newcastle Red Bulls at the end of the season.
Hurricanes return?
Meanwhile, Hurricanes boss Clark Laidlaw said that it is “too soon” to consider a move for All Blacks star.
“It’s way too soon. We haven’t even thought about it. We’re preparing for the Chiefs and it probably feels a wee bit insensitive, almost, thinking about their players in such a short period of time,” he told reporters.
“There are a lot of good players up there that will be looking for work around the country, and I’m sure our head will turn if there’s anybody we think can strengthen our team, but I’m sure all the teams are the same.”
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A return to the Hurricanes would mean that Savea would be based in Wellington with his family, but the club is well stocked in the loose forwards for the time being with the likes of All Blacks Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai, while Devan Flanders has been one of the standout performers this campaign, with Brayden Iose and Brad Shields adding further depth.
While Moana enjoyed a solid campaign with Savea leading the charge last year, finishing seventh overall on the league table, they have struggled this campaign, winning just one of their opening nine games of the season.
