With no certainty over the future of Moana Pasifika, Kiwi Super Rugby clubs remain coy over the prospect of signing Ardie Savea for 2027.
After the club’s owners, the Pasifika Medical Association, confirmed they could no longer carry the financial costs of running Moana Pasifika, the team appears destined to fold at the end of the year, unless a buyer can be found.
Naturally, speculation has begun as to what happens to Moana Pasifika’s players and coaches when the club’s final whistle sounds.
While the likes of captain Miracle Fai’ilagi and loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa would be shrewd acquisitions for any club side – in New Zealand or abroad – it’s the future of Savea that carries the most intrigue.
The 32-year-old is currently in Japan on his second New Zealand Rugby sabbatical. Unless the national body grants an unprecedented third overseas stint in the same four-year cycle, Savea will return to Aotearoa next year.
At present, in the days after Moana’s exit was confirmed, no club has outright put a target on Savea’s signature, in public at least.
Wwhile Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph didn’t mention Savea specifically, however, wheels are already turning for clubs to snap up Moana’s best and brightest.
“Everyone will be scurrying around, not just in New Zealand, to sign some of these players,” he said. ”There are some good rugby players in that team, and coaches.
“Right now, it’d be remiss of me to be talking about picking other players, when I’m in the middle of a competition.
“But let me tell you this: everyone’s looking, everyone knows the deals. I’d assume because of that, everyone will be handpicking who they want, and seeing who falls out at the end of the season.”
While Savea is yet to publicly comment, Herald sources have indicated he would prefer to remain in Auckland, after committing to spend 2027 with Moana.
It is understood Savea’s business interests, which include his clothing label Asav, tie him to remaining in New Zealand’s biggest city, and Moana had committed to accommodating his family while still being based in Wellington.
As first reported by the Herald, that would – theoretically – make the Blues favourites to land him.
Aside from needing loose forwards, with All Blacks pair Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu leaving for France and England respectively at the end of season, the Blues would have the financial capability to offer Savea the most lucrative deal.
Speaking after his side’s Super Rugby victory over the Highlanders, though, Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu wouldn’t be drawn on any prospective interest.
“Ardie Savea is a great player,” said Tuipulotu. “Any club would jump at it to have him.
“He’s always going to add something wherever he goes. That’s his decision.
“It’s a safe answer, but we’re focused on ourselves. We’re not going to worry about that too much.
“We’ve got a good No 7 at the moment.”
One door that could be shut is a return to the Hurricanes, where Savea made his name after debuting in 2013.
In the two years since his exit for Moana, the Hurricanes’ loose forward stocks have developed tremendously, boasting the likes of Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose and Brad Shields at the very least.
But like Joseph, Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw wouldn’t be drawn on specific names, including his club’s former captain.
“To be fair, we haven’t even thought about it to be honest,” said Laidlaw. “We’re preparing for the Chiefs.
“It probably feels a wee bit insensitive, almost, thinking about [signing] the players, doesn’t it?
“There will be a lot of good players up there that are looking for work around the country.
“Our head will turn if there’s anyone out there we think can strengthen our team. I’m sure all the teams are thinking the same over the next couple of weeks.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.