Super Rugby’s joint-highest try-scorer’s new club revealed
Julian Savea in action for the Hurricanes.
Moana Pasifika have announced that they have signed Super Rugby’s joint top try-scorer and former Hurricanes and All Blacks wing Julian Savea for the 2024 season.
The 33-year-old revealed earlier this month that he has parted ways with the Wellington-based franchise after representing them in 152 matches in 11 seasons during which time he equalled Israel Folau’s record for most Super Rugby tries (60).
Prolific try-scorer for the All Blacks
Savea, who scored 46 Test tries for New Zealand from 2012 to 2017, announced his signing on social media on Wednesday morning and Moana Pasifika confirmed the news via a press statement on their official website.
“Moana Pasifika is pleased to announce the signing of 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, All Black #1111, Julian Savea,” read the statement. “Affectionately known as ‘The Bus’ to rugby fans around the world, the 54-test All Black has etched his name into rugby folklore with his explosive running game and ability to break through the toughest of defensive lines.
“As a proud son of Samoa, Savea will don the ocean blue Moana Pasifika jersey for the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific Season. His devastating style of play on the wing made him a world rugby sensation, scoring 46 international tries for the All Blacks.”
Savea made his last Test appearance in 2017 against the British and Irish Lions, making him eligible to switch his international allegiance to the Manu Samoa under the new World Rugby eligiblity rules.
He is Moana Pasifika’s latest signing under their new head coach Tana Umaga, who took over the coaching reins from Aaron Mauger for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
Savea made his Hurricanes debut in 2010 and scored eight tries for the club during that season. After eight seasons, he moved to Top 14 outfit Toulon, but returned to the Hurricanes in 2020 for the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign.
Hat-trick on Test debut
He scored a hat-trick against Ireland on his All Blacks debut in 2012 and went on to make 54 appearances at Test level, scoring 46 tries, which is second on his country’s all-time list behind Doug Howlett who crossed the whitewash 49 times.
His parents – Lina and Masina Savea – are both Samoan-born, having migrated to New Zealand in their youth, and have raised Savea and his brother Ardie to be proud of their Samoan heritage.
Savea’s pace, strength and ability to finish out wide will be a tremendous asset for Moana Pasifika on the field, but Moana Pasifika expect his impact off the field to also prove beneficial.
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