BLUES CONFIRM ARDIE SAVEA SIGNED FOR 2027
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has signed with the Blues for the DHL 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, a move that brings one of the world’s best players and biggest personalities to Auckland.
For Savea, the move is about more than rugby as he comes in with a clear sense of what he wants to achieve both on and off the field.
“First and foremost I honour Moana and their team no longer being in the competition, but the Blues have always been on my heart. I’ve always thought how awesome it would be to play there, and I’ve been really blessed with this opportunity,” he said.
Savea is returning to a city he has called home before, and he sees the chance to bring the region together as a big part of the opportunity.
“I always think of purpose over circumstance. To go into the 09, a city where I've lived before, and have the chance to bring people together with this team is pretty exciting.
“In Auckland we represent so many ethnicities and cultures, so what a great chance to use rugby as a vehicle through how we act and make people feel.”
That vision sits right alongside the Blues’ own ambitions.
Blues CEO Karl Budge said Savea’s arrival strengthens the club both on the field and in its drive to reconnect with the city.
“We’re incredibly happy to have someone not only of his playing and leadership capability, but also, we’re pretty obsessed about how we win back the city, and he’s going to make a huge contribution on and off the field. He’s one of the most entertaining people I've ever met,” Budge said.
“Rugby needs personalities, so to have that in a place where Ardie and the rest of our squad can be authentically themselves is really exciting. We will be having plenty of fun together, and it adds to a new chapter for the club and this region.”
For Savea, success in blue will be measured by more than results.
“How I see the Blues is a team that wins on the field, but also wins off it,” he said.
“That's by uniting our city through how we play, how we do things, and bringing laughter, joy and excitement.”
Savea will link up with the Blues squad later this year ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.