Ardie: Blues move ‘something beautiful’

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea says joining the Blues will allow him to “stay fresh” ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Savea’s move to the Auckland-based club for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season was confirmed on Friday, with the 32-year-old signing a one-year deal following the demise of Moana Pasifika. He previously had a 10-year stint with the Hurricanes, earning 131 caps.

“The Blues have always been in my heart,” Savea said. “I’ve always thought how awesome it would be to play for them, so I’ve been really blessed to have this opportunity.

“If you had told me 10 years ago I’d be playing for the Blues, I’d have laughed at you,” he added. “But there’s something beautiful about being in an unexpected place. It allows you to grow, allows you to learn, stay fresh.”

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Savea, who played for the Kobe Steelers last season, said the move began taking shape after a lengthy conversation with Blues CEO Karl Budge while the pair were in Japan.

“We kicked off and shared a lot of common things around creativity and how the game should look. Then it turned into a reality.”

Savea is currently recovering from shoulder surgery after dislocating it during the All Blacks’ defeat to the Springboks at FNB Stadium last month.

He expects to have “a couple months off” but hopes to be “ready to rock” ahead of the new Super Rugby season.

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Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

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