Rugby's biggest free agent Ardie Savea reveals his next club
Rugby NewsWednesday, 29 July 2026 at 22:31
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea may have revealed where he is set to play his club rugby next season after dropping a major hint on social media.
With Moana Pasifika no longer operating and his sabbatical in Japan now over, the 32-year-old is currently without a Super Rugby Pacific side, sparking intense speculation over where one of world rugby's biggest stars will land for the 2027 campaign.
Savea fuels Blues speculation
During a social media interaction, Savea was asked directly whether fans could expect to see him lining up for the Blues next season.
Instead of dismissing the suggestion, the All Blacks skipper responded with a joke that has only added fuel to the rumours.
"You gotta ask Rieko. Rieko's the boss. Whatever Rieko says, I do."
The "Rieko" in question is fellow All Black Rieko Ioane, who recently returned to the Blues after completing his sabbatical with Irish giants Leinster.
While Savea's response was clearly made in jest, it is the clearest indication yet that a move to Auckland could be on the cards.
A huge boost for the Blues?
If Savea does join the Blues, it would reunite two of New Zealand's biggest names at club level and hand the former Super Rugby champions a huge boost ahead of the 2027 season.
The versatile loose forward remains one of the world's premier players and captained the All Blacks throughout the recent international window, making his next club move one of the biggest talking points in New Zealand rugby.
No official announcement has been made, but Savea's playful response has certainly got supporters talking—and the prospect of seeing him in Blues colours suddenly appears far more realistic than before.
All Blacks Handed NIGHTMARE Route to 2027 Rugby World Cup Final
The All Blacks have been handed a potentially brutal route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final after being drawn alongside hosts Australia in one of the tournament’s toughest pools.
With the competition expanding to 24 teams and introducing a Round of 16 for the first time, New Zealand can already map out their possible path to the Webb Ellis Cup — and it is packed with danger.
Pool A: A Trans-Tasman Showdown
New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A with Australia, creating one of the marquee clashes of the group stage. The All Blacks and Wallabies are expected to battle for top spot, with the pool winner earning a potentially more favourable route through the knockout stages.
Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the four best third-placed teams across all pools also advance.
For New Zealand, the objective will be simple: finish first in Pool A.
Round of 16: A Third-Placed Opponent Awaits
If the All Blacks top Pool A, they will face one of the tournament's best third-placed teams in the Round of 16.
Based on the draw, that opponent would come from Pools C, E or F. Possible challengers could include:
- Samoa, USA or Japan (Pool E)
- Wales or Tonga (Pool F)
- One of the emerging contenders from Pool C
On paper, this should represent a manageable first knockout assignment for New Zealand.
Quarter-Final: Potential Clash with South Africa
The bracket reveals the first major obstacle on New Zealand's path.
Should the All Blacks win Pool A and progress through the Round of 16, they are likely to face the winner of Pool B in the quarter-finals. Defending champions South Africa are overwhelming favourites to top that group, which also contains Italy, Georgia and Romania.
That means the Rugby Championship rivals could be set for another World Cup knockout classic, with the Springboks standing between New Zealand and the final four.
Given South Africa's recent dominance and World Cup pedigree, many observers view this as one of the most anticipated potential quarter-finals of the tournament.
Semi-Final: France Looms Large
If New Zealand overcome South Africa, the likely semi-final opponent would emerge from the opposite side of the bracket containing Pool E.
France are strong favourites to win Pool E, which also includes Japan, Samoa and the United States.
Les Bleus are expected to navigate their side of the draw and could set up a blockbuster semi-final against the All Blacks. A meeting between two of world rugby's most talented squads would undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the tournament.
Potential Final Opponents
Should New Zealand reach the final, several heavyweight nations could await.
The opposite half of the draw is expected to be led by:
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Argentina
- England
England's route appears favourable if they top Pool F, while Ireland and Scotland will again meet in the pool stage before potentially making deep runs into the knockout rounds.
Argentina, meanwhile, remain one of the dark horses after their impressive performances in recent World Cups.
Predicted Route to the Final
Assuming the major nations win their pools, the All Blacks' most likely pathway would be:
Pool Stage
- Australia
- Other Pool A opponents
Round of 16
- Best third-placed qualifier (from Pools C, E or F)
Quarter-Final
- South Africa (Pool B winner)
Semi-Final
- France (Pool E winner)
Final
- Ireland, England, Scotland or Argentina
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players
From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!
More Quizzes:
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
Loading
