In arguably the biggest single-player movement in Super Rugby’s history, the former World Rugby player of the year tradedthe Hurricanes for Moana, as a means of paying tribute to his Samoan heritage.
The move couldn’t come at a better time for Moana, either. The club has just moved to a new base on Auckland’s North Shore, with facilities that are shared by A-League outfit Auckland FC.
Savea, 31, isn’t officially due back for Moana Pasifika duties until the end of January, as the All Blacks are afforded a longer break after their test commitments.
However, as a mark of the man, Savea took it upon himself to travel from Wellington to spend the day in his new surroundings earlier this week.
“I should have had him for longer, as soon as he came in, everyone was really quiet. You could hear his brother [saying] ‘just act natural guys, he’s just like anyone else.’
“That’s the aura that he has within our group.”
Moana are currently in the final days of their pre-Christmas training, having returned from their off-season in late November.
The players, minus Savea and the core of Tongan internationals, will take a break from training over Christmas and the new year, before returning in 2025 to finalise their preparations for the new season of Super Rugby Pacific.
Aside from the personal effect on each player, Umaga has also noticed the impact of Savea’s presence on the training ground.
Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga. Photo / Photosport
“We’re seeing a bit of intensity, a bit of focus come through a bit more. That’s what we knew we’d get by having Ardie come on board with us,” he said.
“It’s really lifted our players. When they saw him again, it gave us another lift, coming into our last week of pre-season.
“He’s really given them a bit of motivation to see this week out well.”
When the 2025 season does begin, Umaga has a huge task on his hands in making sure Moana Pasifika represents more than just the home of Ardie Savea, though.
For years, Pasifika rugby has needed a vessel like Moana, as a means of giving players the opportunity to ply their trade close to home and represent their heritage.
Clubs in England, France and Japan have long benefited from having Pasifika players, who in turn are able to represent their new homes after meeting residency criteria.
Now, though, players can be professionals, and push for higher honours with Tonga and Samoa.
As far as Umaga is concerned, having Savea’s example in front of the rest of his squad day-in day-out will serve as all the motivation needed for the next generation of Pasifika talent to show they don’t lack talent, just opportunity.
“We’re aspirational, these are opportunities for our people,” Umaga said.
“Ardie has come on board, he’s going to showcase what he does, but for his people as well, his Pasifika side. Representing his parents is what he’s said is important to him.
“When you see people who look like you doing the things you want to do, it makes you want to achieve that. It makes you want to achieve that, it breaks down barriers that they probably put in front of themselves.
“They’ve just got to work for it, like anything else.”
Should Moana need an example as to what’s possible in Super Rugby, they need only look north.
When Moana Pasifika entered Super Rugby in 2022, they did so alongside the Fijian Drua.
Playing home games out of Lautoka and Suva, the Drua have quickly become a side that rivals don’t relish the chance to test themselves against.
While their inaugural season saw the Drua finish 11th on the table, the past two years have brought playoff appearances, thanks to successive seventh placings in the regular season.
But even though comparisons between the Drua and Moana are fair, they’re also not entirely reflective of where each side is at.
The Drua have existed since 2017, and played as part of Australia’s National Rugby Championship – including winning it in their second season.
In comparison, Moana have finished bottom in two of their three seasons, and 11th in the third.
Now, in a position to improve, Umaga acknowledged the importance of learning from the Drua, while understanding Moana have to do things their own way.
“To be honest, they’re the ones we’re learning from,” Umaga professed. “How do we form the resources, the processes and organisations around getting these things through?
“It comes down to being professional at all levels, not just the playing field. Outside that, making sure everything runs as smoothly as other organisations.
“As Moana, we’re building that. We didn’t start on a level playing field as everyone else. Even with the Drua, what they already had in place was well and far above what Moana started with.
“We started small, we had a couple of tough years, and we’re still having tough years, but we’re growing.
“All we can do is keep working, we’re only four years old. We know where we want to go, we know how important it is for us to be successful.
“It’s just [about] understanding what success looks like.”
Alex Powell is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.
