1
'Shucks, I've signed a five-year contract over in Europe': Ardie Savea jokes about undecided future plans
Ardie Savea is off-contract with New Zealand Rugby at the end of the year and the powers that be will be trying desperately to ensure the Hurricanes captain remains in NZ until at least the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
While Savea wants his team to put a good performance on the park to honour the departing members of the Hurricanes in what is shaping up as their final match of Super Rugby for the year, he’s yet to make a decision himself where his future lies.
“Being back at home, being in front of family and friends at SKY Stadium and knowing that it’s the last game for a few of our players at home, that’s pretty special and I think that’s one of the big drivers for us this week,” Savea told media on Thursday.
“This week’s all about little changes in our game but also around connecting and making sure we kind of embrace the situation we’re in. It’s a pretty tough situation but [it’s also about embracing] the uniqueness and just being able to play footy – stripping it right back and having brothers play potentially their last game. Being back home in front of friends and family is pretty special.”
There have been rumours that Savea could shift to new Super Rugby franchise Moana Pasifika next season, while the 49-cap All Black could also command a huge salary off-shore.
Whether or not you think Laumape deserved more opportunities with the All Blacks or was under-valued by NZR, it’s impossible not to appreciate his recent honesty. That's something New Zealand is sorely lacking.https://t.co/8fy7tjCTEE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 9, 2021
“Shucks, I’ve signed a five-year contract over in Europe,” he joked. “I’m kidding bro.
“I still haven’t decided what I’m doing just yet. Kind of just been focussing on getting my injury right. That was kind of my main focus the last couple of weeks. I haven’t really thought about it actually at the moment but should do.
Savea revealed that he wouldn’t be seriously contemplating his future until after the Super Rugby season comes to a close – likely this weekend – and that a number of factors would come into consideration, including the ever-present pull of the black jersey.
ADVERTISEMENT
“To be the world’s best, you’ve got to play against the world’s best,” Savea said. “That can only happen on the international stage. The All Blacks and the jersey’s always been something that’s really special to myself and many other players around the world.
“I love to play [in NZ] but you never know where the holy spirit takes me and God takes me. I’m just living in the moment, living present, and wherever the spirit takes me, I’ll go there.”
The long-awaited inclusion of the Pacific Islands in southern hemisphere franchise rugby is nearly upon us, but which off-contract players could Moana Pasifika sign for their inaugural season? #MoanaPasifika https://t.co/RVNYN56Ho6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 24, 2021
Unlike Savea, there are no question marks about All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape’s future, with the former Warrior set to take up a contract with Stade Francais in the coming weeks. Laumape will start in the midfield once last time for the Hurricanes in their match with the Reds.
ADVERTISEMENT
While Laumape has been a huge presence for the Hurricanes on the park throughout his five years with the team, it’s off the field where Savea says he’s made the biggest contributions.
“He’s been amazing,” said Savea. “I still remember the first phone call, when he called me when he was with the Warriors. He asked me how I would do at union and I told him he would be one of the greats. For him to come to union, to come into a high-level team in Super Rugby and be where he is now I think is a testament to himself and his family.
“It’s going to be pretty emotional, you know? I’ve formed a real strong bond with Ngans outside of the field so I’m just excited for him to go out there in his last one at home and just to have fun and be free. He’s done amazing things for us in this jersey. He’s done so much more off the field, which is a testament to him.”
As a number of Hurricanes players are yet to confirm their futures, there won’t be too big a fanfare on Friday evening when the match kicks off, said Savea, but there’ll be plenty of reminiscing and celebrating once the seasons comes to a formal close.
“We all know deep down inside this is going to be the last time that this group is together and that’s kind of a goosebumpy feeling.
“We won’t do anything in particular at the start because we don’t know who’s staying or who’s going, apart from Ngans, but hopefully afterwards when the season’s done and we have our after-match function, we’re able to celebrate those guys in the right way and honour them.”
The Hurricanes will take on the Reds at 7:05pm NZT on Friday evening from SKY Stadium in Wellington.
Comments on RugbyPass
Its a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend om the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside od World Cup years.
5 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
5 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
5 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to comments