Ardie Savea confirms move to the Blues for 2027 season
Thursday 1 October 2026 · 4 outlets · 8 reports · updated In this story All Blacks, Blues, Ardie Savea, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has confirmed he will join the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. The loose forward signed a one-year deal following the collapse of Moana Pasifika. Savea will reunite with former Hurricanes coach Jason Holland in Auckland.
Key facts
4 facts
- Ardie Savea signed a one-year deal with the Blues for the 2027 season
- The signing follows the collapse of Moana Pasifika
- Savea is 32 years old
- The player is recovering from shoulder surgery
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has signed a one-year deal to join the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. The 32-year-old loose forward announced the move during a YouTube livestream from a Wellington coffee shop, where he tried on jerseys from various Super Rugby clubs before confirming his destination. This signing follows the collapse of Moana Pasifika.
Savea described the move as his 'last dance' and stated it would be the final Super Rugby team he plays for. He noted that while he would have laughed at the prospect of playing for the Blues ten years ago, there is 'something beautiful about being in an unexpected place'. The player expressed a desire to use rugby as a vehicle to unite the Auckland community.
The move reunites Savea with former Hurricanes coach Jason Holland, who is now the Blues head coach. Holland noted that Savea had originally wanted to return to Moana Pasifika if they had remained in the competition. Although Savea will be part of the leadership group, he will not be one of the main leaders as the club has established leaders in place.
Savea is currently recovering from shoulder surgery following a dislocation sustained during a match in South Africa. All Blacks coach Dave Rennie suggested the captain might struggle to be available for the start of the Super Rugby season. His one-year contract aligns with his New Zealand Rugby commitments, which run through the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
How it developed
- Sat 3 Oct, 8:00amThe report clarifies that Savea will participate in the leadership group but will not be a primary leader for the team.
Where reports differ
- One report states Savea signed a three-year deal with Moana from 2025, while another notes he played just 12 games for them before the club folded
- Reports vary on the specific details of his contract length with the Blues, with some citing a one-year deal and others mentioning his New Zealand Rugby contract duration
Compiled from reports by Stuff, NZ Herald, The Post and 1News.
