All Blacks star Ardie Savea is close to signing a new Super Rugby deal that will help him honour his Samoan heritage.
The New Zealand Herald reports Savea is on the verge of signing for SRP strugglers Moana Pasifika for the 2025 season, after returning from a sabbatical season in Japan.
It was reported that Savea is “at the pointy end of contract negotiations with New Zealand Rugby that includes discussions to extend through to the 2027 World Cup – and which Super Rugby team he will represent.”
Savea reportedly had a clause in his contract that allows him to move from the Hurricanes to another NZ franchise.
Savea was expected to rejoin the Hurricanes after his time in Japan.
The Herald said Moana officials have insisted no deal is finalised but Savea is expected to announce his future next week after the All Blacks face Fiji in the United States.
Savea, whose brother Julian plays with the Auckland-based franchise, would be a significant marquee signing for a club that has struggled to be competitive, despite having their best season yet under Tana Umaga in 2024.
Ardie Savea has recently walked back from statements suggesting he’d like to represent Samoa after his All Blacks time is up – but this seems a perfect way for him to represent them.
Ardie Savea. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
“For me, I want to give back to Samoa in different ways,” he said earlier this year.
“It might be going back home and helping out the kids there or doing something like that in my village.
“It might not be representing them on an international stage, but just doing something to give back.”
He added: “If you were to ask me four years ago, I would have loved to play for Samoa and put the jersey on.
“But right now, I’m getting a bit older and I think I’d be doing a disservice to the jersey if I was to just go there when I’m older.”
