All Blacks legend questions Ardie Savea’s decision to join Moana Pasifika

Legendary All Black Sir John Kirwan said he is “not convinced” Ardie Savea made the right decision to further his Super Rugby Pacific career at Moana Pasifika from next year.

Star back-row Savea, who has already made 84 Test appearances for New Zealand, signed a three-year contract with Moana through until 2027 and will be reunited with his brother, former All Blacks wing Julian, at the Auckland-based club.

Moana Pasifika have been involved in Super Rugby since 2022 and finished in last place in the standings in the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific, as well as 2023, before improving slightly in 2024 when they finished in 11th position on the table.

Worried about Moana’s poor form

And Kirwan believes the fact that Moana is a struggling franchise could be detrimental for Savea and the All Blacks.

“I’m not convinced,” Kirwan said on The Breakdown. “I could be wrong but the idea of Moana Pasifika for me was to grow Pasifika rugby. Don’t get me wrong, I want Moana Pasifika to be great. But is it good for Ardie Savea if they have another season where they are second to last?

“Is that going to help us as All Blacks that Ardie is going to be coming from possibly doing extra or struggling?

“It’ll be a bigger workload.”

Kirwan, who made 63 Test appearances for New Zealand as a wing between 1984 and 1994, said his comments were made based on personal experience when he joined a second-tier club in Italy, Treviso, during his playing career.

All Blacks star Ardie Savea’s shock Super Rugby move confirmed in new deal

“I remember one of my worst seasons ever. I went to the second division in Italy and I just played terribly because I was too worried about doing a whole lot of jobs,” he explained.

However, former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall disagreed with Kirwan and said he feels Savea’s move would benefit Moana as well as his former Super Rugby club, the Hurricanes.

Savea was not in action at Super Rugby Pacific level this year as he opted to take a sabbatical in Japan where he played his club rugby for Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

Hurricanes shone without Savea

Despite being without Savea’s services, the Hurricanes finished at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table before bowing out of the competition in the semi-finals.

“This year the Hurricanes functioned so well without Ardie Savea and were very close to being in a final,” Marshall said.

“There’s no doubt the move will be massively advantageous to Moana Pasifika because of the numbers a world-class player like Ardie Savea will bring. It’s a good decision.

“And to be fair, it might freshen him up a bit. he’s been at that one franchise for a very long time and there’s nothing like getting something a bit different when you turn up for training each day.”

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