AUCKLAND — All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has revealed the Blues were the "only" New Zealand franchise to offer him a contract after his move to the Auckland-based side was confirmed last week following Moana Pasifika's liquidation at the conclusion of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
The 32-year-old loose forward had signed a three-year deal with Moana and New Zealand Rugby which was due to run to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but his stint ended a year early due to the franchise's financial problems. With a move overseas set to rule him out of Test contention ahead of the global tournament, Savea realistically had five options among the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises, yet only one came forward. "I was at the 'Canes for 11 or 12 years, so I honour the franchise and I love my brothers there and what they're doing, and then obviously went to Moana," he told The Morning Shift podcast. "God's taken me back to the 09 with the Blues, so I'm ready for the last dance. Only the Blues came to the table, so I'm just grateful, very, very grateful."
Savea added: "I just want to say a massive shoutout to the Blues; they showed love from the get-go as soon as the news on Moana [happened], they've just been showing love and have been the only ones." He credited Blues chief executive Karl Budge, who was appointed in October last year, as a major reason for choosing Eden Park. Budge travelled from Tokyo to Kobe while Savea was on sabbatical in Japan to meet him. "He came down to Kobe and we chatted. We sat down for like five hours at a cafe talking about creative content, new media, new ways to promote the game which was up my alley," Savea said. "From the get-go I loved him as a CEO and his vision, but also as a person, he just seemed like one of us."
The back-rower, who spent 2026 on sabbatical in Japan and played only 12 times for Moana, described his time with the Pacific franchise as the highlight of his career so far. "If someone was to ask me what the highlight of my career is so far, it would be Moana, 100%," he said. "We always started with God and we finished with him, and I've never been a part of a team that actually put him at the forefront of everything. Just being authentically yourself, Pacific, which was awesome."
Savea said the environment taught him a great deal despite his senior role. "Having those boys there, they taught me a lot. Even though they think I did a lot, I learnt so much from them and I feel like I am the player I am today because of that," he added. "I'm really grateful for that chapter." The Blues are now set to benefit as Savea targets what he calls his "last dance" through to the World Cup.