Ardie Savea teases future Super Rugby team in social media post

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has teased an upcoming announcement regarding his Super Rugby future. The 32-year-old loose forward shared a video on Instagram showing himself signing a contract next to a domestic departures board.

Savea is currently without a franchise for the 2027 season after Moana Pasifika went into liquidation. New Zealand Rugby rejected all rescue bids for the franchise because they did not meet specific commercial and financial requirements.

The departures board in the video featured Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, though Auckland was not listed. Savea previously signed a three-year deal with Moana starting in 2025, but he spent the second year on sabbatical in Japan.

The Blues have expressed interest in the player, with CEO Karl Budge stating, “Are we interested? Of course we are”. Other players affected by the Moana Pasifika exit include Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Miracle Faiʻilagi, and Israel Leota.

Where reports differ

• One report specifies the reason for Moana Pasifika's liquidation was the rejection of rescue bids by NZR, while the other focuses on the social media teaser

Compiled from reports by Stuff and NZ Herald.