Jordie Barrett’s candid verdict on Ardie Savea swapping Hurricanes for Moana Pasifika

David Skippers
Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea Hurricane - Alamy

All Blacks duo Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea in action for the Hurricanes.

All Blacks inside centre Jordie Barrett says there are no hard feelings from the Hurricanes after Ardie Savea opted to sign a three-year deal to join Moana Pasifika.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that All Blacks back-row Savea has inked a three-year contract to join Moana, starting in 2025.

Major coup for Moana Pasifika

Acquiring the services of a high profile All Black like Savea is a major coup for the fledgling franchise as they have been amongst the also-rans at Super Rugby Pacific level in recent years.

Moana finished at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table in 2022 and 2023 and were second last this year under the guidance of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga.

Savea has played all his Super Rugby for the Hurricanes since his debut for the Wellington-based outfit in 2013 but did not feature for them in 2024 as he had a sabbatical at Japan Rugby League One club Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

The 30-year-old is set to link up with his brother Julian – who is also a former Hurricanes player – at Moana after the older Savea joined the club at the end of last year.

Barrett said he understands Savea’s reasoning behind his move to his new club.

“Ardie has been unbelievable for the Hurricanes and New Zealand rugby,” he told 1News. “He has our best wishes and it’s an exciting phase for him and his family.

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“He gets to play with his brother now which is pretty cool.”

When asked whether he is disappointed that he would not be playing with Savea for the Hurricanes anymore, Barrett replied: “I’m happy for Ardie. He’s always gone on his own path and I’m stoked he’s made up his mind and it’s all put to bed now.”

Hurricanes did well despite Savea’s absence

Although Savea will not return to the Hurricanes, the team showed this year that they can manage without him as they finished at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table and eventually bowed out in the semi-finals.

Barrett was also asked about New Zealand’s performances under new head coach Scott Robertson and said: “Three from three is always good… [under] the new regime and [with] the fresh blood that we saw against Fiji, so it was pleasing.

“We’ll never take Test wins for granted.”

Barrett is looking forward to the All Blacks’ next challenge against Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener in Wellington on August 10.

“I’ll get home and decompress a little bit and keep ticking over,” he said. “We’ve got Argentina in a couple of weeks. They’re a good side and we’ll prepare well for them.”

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