3 Premiership clubs who should be dusting off the chequebook for Ardie Savea
It was not that long ago that optimistic New Zealand fans – and a fair portion of the media – were lauding Ardie Savea as the successor to Richie McCaw in the All Blacks’ seven jersey.
Even the less optimistic were still sure he would be part of a very competitive battle with Sam Cane for the role and playing time with the international team.
Fast-forward a few years and the former has, unfortunately for Savea, not proven to be the case.
Admittedly, he has won 25 caps for the All Blacks and that’s no mean feat for a retiring veteran, let alone a player at 24 years of age who is not even coming into his ‘peak’ yet, but those caps have clearly come with Savea as the secondary option to Cane. Of those 25 caps, 20 have come from the bench, with starts coming against Samoa, Argentina (twice) and South Africa, as well the most recent being in the third and final Test of the series with France last month, a game in which the series had already been wrapped up by the All Blacks.
There were a few murmurs he could leave Super Rugby as soon as the end of the 2018 season but by recently signing a one-year extension with New Zealand Rugby, Savea has put himself in an enviable position.
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The players’ collective agreement in New Zealand expires at the end of this year and with broadcast revenue increasing due to higher demand and an influx of new platforms, such as Amazon Prime, the allocation of money for player retention is likely to increase significantly going into next year.
This is the perfect situation for Savea.
If he is happy in New Zealand, has another good season with the Hurricanes and either believes he can force his way into the All Blacks XV or is happy to play his role from the bench, he can sign new terms with the Hurricanes and NZR at a substantial increase in earnings.
On the other hand, if he is keen to broaden his horizons and seeks a deal outside New Zealand, he has the prospect of increased wages with NZR to use as leverage and broker a more beneficial deal wherever it is that he would end up.
France would be a good bet.
The earning potential, on average, is unrivalled, the level of competition is good and his brother would be relatively close by, with Julian heading out there later this year to join up with Toulon. Ireland is an outside bet, although mitigated by their rules on non-Irish-qualified players, whilst a number of Top League clubs in Japan have the financial muscle to make Savea a tempting offer, but without the standard of play that he could expect in Europe.
Ultimately, if he chooses not to stay in New Zealand and doesn’t end up in France, the likely alternative is England and the Gallagher Premiership. The salary cap may be lower in England than it is in France, but if he were to find the right team with an open marquee player spot, his earnings could match – or possibly even surpass – those that he would likely make in France.
One of the leading candidates for his signature would undoubtedly be Harlequins.
The south-west London club have recently entered into a cooperation agreement with NZR, one of the key features of which is the club being promoted to Kiwi players as a possible sabbatical destination. This would keep a return to New Zealand and the All Blacks open to Savea, should the situation change domestically while he is abroad.
Quins have the resources to make Savea an attractive offer, they have the lure of London and a back-row that will likely lose the veteran Chris Robshaw in the short-to-medium-term, as well as uncertainty over Jack Clifford, with the former England U20 captain currently suffering through a horrendous run of injuries.
It will be interesting to see how Quins play under new Head of Rugby Paul Gustard, too. If there is an adoption of the defence that Gustard used at Saracens, whereby players commit less to the breakdown and instead ensure the defensive line has width and line-speed on the next phase, it could suit Savea’s mobile game perfectly.
Another option would be Northampton Saints, who will soon come under the stewardship of Savea’s current head coach, Chris Boyd.
With back-rowers Tom Wood, James Haskell and Heinrich Brüssow all now in their 30’s, Northampton, like Quins, could have some openings coming in their loose forwards over the next couple of seasons.
Savea has thrived under Boyd’s guidance at the Hurricanes and Wellington and there’s no doubt that the Kiwi coach would be a swing factor in any bid to lure Savea to Franklin’s Gardens at the end of 2019.
One other club that should be dusting off its chequebook in a bid to snap up the talented back-rower are Bristol Bears.
Bristol have become a fashionable destination for Kiwi players under Pat Lam, with the financial firepower of owner Steve Lansdown, the ambition of the club to become a European force and the presence of the former Blues and Connacht head coach on the sidelines proving to be a potent mix.
The club has already brought in the likes of Steven Luatua and Charles Piutau and although they both come from Lam’s former club in Auckland, it’s not a huge leap to propose that Savea might be interested in joining Lam’s revolution down in the south-west.
He would also join former Hurricanes teammates Alapati Leiua and Jack Lam at Ashton Gate, if he were to make the move.
All three clubs would relish an addition like Savea bolstering their ranks and they wouldn’t go far wrong by reaching out at the end of this Super Rugby season and testing the waters.
If the feedback is positive, they might want to starting setting aside a portion of their 2019/20 budgets.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments