Moana Pasifika momentum hits snag with confirmed Ardie Savea sabbatical

Ardie Savea is on his way back to Japan for the 2026 Japan Rugby League One season, reuniting with the Kobe Steelers, where he played in 2024.

The recently crowned Super Rugby Pacific MVP will return to Moana for the 2027 season, which is the final year of his current contract.

The All Blacks star will remain eligible for international duty throughout, as is the case for all sabbaticals within New Zealand Rugby’s contract framework.

“Sabbaticals are a key component of our contracting model and provide flexibility for our most senior All Blacks to spend some time in a different environment,” NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said.

“In Ardie’s case, he has played 94 Tests for the All Blacks and more than a decade as a professional player in New Zealand. He is committed to play his rugby in New Zealand through to the end of 2027, and we look forward to his ongoing contribution to our teams and competitions.”

Savea took to social media to thank the fans for their support and express his excitement for the future. The 31-year-old told his followers to “keep believing” in Moana Pasifika’s movement, saying the Albany club are “the people’s team”.

“I have so much love for what we started with Moana this year, so I’m looking forward to coming back in 2027,” Savea said.

“It’s hard to leave, even though it’s only for one season, but I’ll be supporting the team from afar and will stay involved behind the scenes. This year at Moana Pasifika was the happiest I’ve been in my career.

“On the other hand, Japan is a special place and I love the culture and the people. It’s exciting to return to a club that has given me an opportunity to have beautiful experiences on and off the field.”

Moana Pasifika will now have to look to their player pathways, or to free agents, for loose forward reinforcements, with established players like Lotu Inisi and Sione Havili Talitui both confirmed to have left the club after the recent season.

“Ardie obviously goes with our blessing,” said Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga. “These sabbaticals are part of the modern game, and we have been preparing for this for some time.

“We will continue to build the momentum of our movement in 2026 and work hard to grow our game so that we will be even better when he gets back to us in 2027.”