All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has signed with the Auckland Blues for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, in a move he says feels “unexpected” but exciting.
The 32-year-old loose forward needed a new Super Rugby team after his old club, Moana Pasifika, closed down. Savea spent this year on a break from Super Rugby, playing for Japanese club Kobe instead. He has now signed a one-year deal with the Blues for the 2027 season.
“The Blues have always been on my heart,” Savea said. “There’s something beautiful about being in an unexpected place.”
He said that if someone had told him 10 years ago he would be playing for the Blues, he would have laughed.
Savea recently had shoulder surgery and expects it will take several months before he is fully fit and ready to play again.
“I’ve got to train hard to make the team first. I’ve got to earn my spot,” he said.
At the Blues, Savea will link up again with fellow All Black Rieko Ioane, who recently returned to the team after playing in Ireland. Savea said he wants the Blues to win not just on the field, but off it too, through teamwork and playing with flair.
Fans will have to wait until next year’s Super Rugby season to see Savea pull on the Blues jersey for the first time.
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