All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has signed with the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The biggest free agent in rugby has agreed his next move, as Savea has been officially announced as the latest signing of the Auckland club.
Follow @RuckTransfers on Instagram for the latest rugby transfer news
After a Summer of speculation, Savea pens in his future with the Super Rugby franchise, which sees him stay living in Auckland following the collapse of Moana Pasifika.
On his move, the back row said:
"First and foremost I honour Moana and their team no longer being in the competition, but the Blues have always been on my heart.
"I’ve always thought how awesome it would be to play there, and I’ve been really blessed with this opportunity.”
There were rumours galore throughout the Greatest Rivalry series as to where Ardie would end up, with fans of all the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises eager to land his signature.
No return to the Hurricanes after all, Ardie Savea is a Blues man for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season!
Savea is returning to a city he has called home before, and he sees the chance to bring the region together as a big part of the opportunity.
“I always think of purpose over circumstance. To go into the 09, a city where I've lived before, and have the chance to bring people together with this team is pretty exciting.
“In Auckland we represent so many ethnicities and cultures, so what a great chance to use rugby as a vehicle through how we act and make people feel.”
Blues CEO Karl Budge said Savea’s arrival strengthens the club both on the field and in its drive to reconnect with the city.
“We’re incredibly happy to have someone not only of his playing and leadership capability, but also, we’re pretty obsessed about how we win back the city, and he’s going to make a huge contribution on and off the field. He’s one of the most entertaining people I've ever met,”
Budge said.“Rugby needs personalities, so to have that in a place where Ardie and the rest of our squad can be authentically themselves is really exciting. We will be having plenty of fun together, and it adds to a new chapter for the club and this region.”
For Savea, success in blue will be measured by more than results.
“How I see the Blues is a team that wins on the field, but also wins off it,” he said.
“That's by uniting our city through how we play, how we do things, and bringing laughter, joy and excitement.”
