The reason Ardie Savea turned down Pau's big-money offer to stay with the Hurricanes
Ardie Savea has revealed his motive behind turning down a big-money offer to move to Top 14 club Pau.
Savea was the subject of a multitude of speculation last year as Pau and other top-tier clubs from around Europe entered negotiations with the 25-year-old to make him one of their own following this year’s World Cup.
The 35-test loose forward said it was difficult to turn down the riches of European club rugby, but said his decision to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes boiled down to keeping his one-year-old daughter Kobe in a settled, young family environment in Wellington.
“Staying here for the next couple of years I thought was the best option for myself and my family,” Savea told the Weekend Herald.
“To be quite honest, it wasn’t an easy decision, but at the end of the day, just wanting to stay in New Zealand, I’ve got a young family and my daughter’s just growing up and my parents are here, so having my daughter grow up around her grandparents … it was more for my family at the moment.
“I think at the time when I made that decision, it just felt right to stay home, but it wasn’t easy.”
A move to Pau would have been an ideal option for Savea given the club’s strong Kiwi presence through former All Blacks Colin Slade, Frank Halai, Tom Taylor, Benson Stanley, departing prop Jamie Mackintosh, Peter Saili, Daniel Ramsay, head coach Simon Mannix and assistant and Savea’s ex-Hurricanes teammate Conrad Smith.
Current All Blacks Ben Smith and Luke Whitelock will also join after the World Cup, but while a move to the French club would have significantly boosted Savea’s bank balance, he has no regrets on his decision to spurn the offer and opt to ink a new deal which will keep him in New Zealand until the end of 2021.
“I’m in a pretty blessed position to be where I am and grateful for the talent I’ve been given, so I’m just trying to make the most of it to enjoy my footy, help my family, help myself and influence the younger generation.
“If I can do that, particularly in New Zealand playing rugby, that’s fulfilling for me inside.”
Savea has continued to build on his reputation as one of Super Rugby’s most blockbusting loose forwards, alternating between openside flanker and No. 8 to make himself a formidable threat both with and without the ball.
He looms as a key figure within the All Blacks squad for the World Cup in Japan later this year, and should injured Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane struggle to return from his broken neck, Savea would be expected to start in the number seven jersey.
After bing dismantled 32-8 by the Crusaders in Wellington on Friday night, Savea’s next appearance for the Hurricanes will come next week against the Highlanders in Dunedin in what will be his final match before he serves a mandatory rest week after playing six consecutive matches.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments