Ardie Savea set for bombshell move away from Hurricanes after activating clause in NZR contract – report
All Blacks star Ardie Savea in action for the Hurricanes in 2023.
All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea is set for a surprise move away from the Hurricanes in 2025, according to a report.
The 30-year-old represented the Wellington outfit for a decade between 2013 and 2023 before a short-term sabbatical to Asia following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup.
Savea featured for Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One but was eligible for the All Blacks in the 2024 Test campaign after returning to New Zealand.
Although he was initially expected to rejoin the ‘Canes for next season, the back-row has been linked with Moana Pasifika over the past few weeks.
Clause in contract
He is currently contracted to the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2025 but, according to the New Zealand Herald, Savea is thought to have a clause in his contract which allows him to move to another New Zealand Super Rugby side.
That potentially includes Moana given that they are based in Auckland.
The Herald also states that the outstanding number eight is currently in negotiations to extend his deal with the governing body to the end of the 2027 World Cup.
His move to Moana has not been finalised but Savea is expected to confirm his future next week. That would see him join his brother, Julian, at the franchise and also honour his proud Samoan heritage.
Savea has previously spoken about representing or helping Samoa in some capacity, which included potentially switching national teams under the amended World Rugby eligibility laws.
That appears to be off the table now, but Savea has perhaps found a way of giving back to the country by signing for Moana.
“If you were to ask me four years ago, I would have loved to play for Samoa and put the jersey on,” he told Walk the Talk in May.
“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. We’ll see, but with the rules of stand-down being three years, it’s just a long time.”
He added: “For me, I want to give back to Samoa in different ways. 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.”
Super Rugby improvement
Julian also made the move from Hurricanes, signing for Pasifika at the start of the 2024 Super Rugby campaign.
Coached by All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, they enjoyed their best season in 2024, winning four of their 14 matches which was more than their previous two years combined.
In both 2022 and 2023, Moana ended the campaign at the bottom of the table but they finished in 11th this season and have been sold to new owners Pasifika Medical Association.
That could secure their long-term future, which had previously been in doubt. The Pacific Island outfit have been based in Auckland for the past couple of years and have a deal in place at Mt Smart Stadium until 2028.
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