Ardie Savea doesn't need to return to Super Rugby in 2027

As long as Ardie Savea spends a few months playing in New Zealand next year, I don’t really care where it is.

I hate sabbaticals. I have never been able to fathom why we dilute Super Rugby by allowing All Blacks to play in Japan. When rugby in New Zealand continues to face a variety of challenges – and the All Blacks consistently underwhelm on the world stage – the welfare and happiness of a few elite players really is the least of my worries.

Savea’s stint in Japan is nearing its conclusion, but – as it stands – he doesn’t have anywhere to play Super Rugby next season, following news that Moana Pasifika is bowing out of the competition. That’s sad, but also a fair reflection of where things are at. The team’s continued participation in Super Rugby Pacific just wasn’t sustainable.

All of which leaves us with breathless questions about where will Ardie go now? Will he return to the Hurricanes? Could he be a Blue? I’d actually be happy for him to play for Oriental Rongotai.

I admire Daniel Carter for a few reasons, but one in particular was that he commuted from Auckland to play for the Crusaders. Folk outside of Auckland don’t have a huge regard for the city and those that live there. They view with suspicion those who head to the big smoke. Carter might have lived there, but at least he stayed in the red and black.

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I have never warmed to seeing Beauden Barrett in a Blues jumper. I wasn’t even that stoked about Ricky Riccitelli wearing it. I wouldn’t burst into tears if Savea signed with the Blues, but I would look at him differently. Carter knew fans could cop the fact that life had taken him to Auckland, but they weren’t going to condone him playing against the Crusaders.

At the risk of stating the obvious, Savea doesn’t need to be playing Super Rugby to justify All Black selection. He wouldn’t be swanning around Japan if it did. But, really, he doesn’t. Savea, as has been said countless times, is his own man. At times, I’m sure that makes him difficult to manage. He follows his heart, which appears to be why he signed with Moana Pasifika in the first place. Equally, it’s also why he’s occasionally made noises about playing rugby league. Not because he loved the game, more because it was an avenue into representing Samoa.

Among the things Savea is loyal to is Oriental Rongotai. Am I seriously suggesting he sit out the 2027 Super season in favour of a prolonged stint in Wellington club rugby? Probably not. But I am pointing out that it actually doesn’t matter where he plays Super Rugby next year or, indeed, if he plays it at all.

We probably all assume next year will be his last in an All Blacks jumper. Who knows where he’ll end up after the next Rugby World Cup. But it feels safe to say he hasn’t always loved being employed by New Zealand Rugby or has never entertained the idea of signing somewhere else. As I say, he’s a man of strong convictions. Strong enough to say he wants to play for Ories next year? We’ll see.

Dane Coles, of course, was desperate to play for his home province – Horowhenua Kapiti – towards the end of his career, but his employers wouldn’t accede to that request. Rightly or wrongly, Savea’s status is slightly higher than that of Coles, and I definitely wouldn’t be shocked to see him have some kind of swansong at the Polo Grounds.

I understand Moana Pasifika’s demise. I’m disappointed by it, but I see the reasons. Just as I see that performances in Super Rugby haven’t been a prerequisite for All Black selection for a long time now. On that score, we don’t actually need to see Savea back with a franchise next season.