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Live sport on SN this weekendBlues confirm Savea signing after first-choice Moana Pasifika’s collapse
Sport Nation • October 2nd, 2026 5:35 pm
Ardie Savea | Photo: Photosport
The Blues have confirmed rumours that All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will join the club in 2026 on a one-year deal.
New Blues coach Jason Holland shared Savea would have committed to Moana Pasifika, who he played for in 2025, if the club remained in the Super Rugby Pacific competition for 2027.
The franchise however announced it would disband after the 2026 season, saying it was no longer viable to continue.
“I've known Ards a while and just sort of was aware that Moana might not be in the competition going forward for the next couple of years so I just ran it by Ards when that was all happening and when nobody really knew what was happening,” Holland told Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy.
“Obviously Ards was completely committed to Moana if they were in the comp and I just said ‘look we’ll chat if that doesn't happen’ and so we started chatting a bit more seriously when unfortunately Moana were ruled out of the Super.”
Ardie Savea in 2025 before moving to Japan | Photo: AAP
Now the 32-year-old turns his attention to the Auckland-based club.
“It's great to have him in the Blues set up, not just a player, obviously the person that Ardie is,” Holland said.
“I know the obvious value he'll provide on the field for the Blues, but what he'll provide off the field and the help he'll give all our staff and our players along the way to be as good as they can be will be one of the big strengths of having Ards in our environment.
“We're just working through what Ards wants and what we want and find the space where he can contribute as much to this club and have a bit of fun along the way.”
Savea is recovering from shoulder surgery after being ruled out of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa, with Holland under the impression Savea will be fit to play near the start of next season.
“We're expecting him around the start of the competition, which might be a blessing in disguise for the end of the competition.”
Listen to the full interview below:
