Ardie Savea has more than silverware on his mind with Blues move

Ardie Savea is embracing being in an “unexpected place” after signing with the Blues on a one-year deal following the collapse of Moana Pasifika, acknowledging the move wasn’t exactly on his career bingo card.

The All Blacks captain, who was born and raised in Wellington, revealed the next chapter of his Super Rugby career would play out in the City of Sails during a livestream on his YouTube channel on Friday afternoon, after teasing the move on social media earlier in the week.

He’ll join former Hurricanes coach Jason Holland in a new-look Blues camp for the final year of his current New Zealand Rugby contract, returning to Auckland after his influential season on the North Shore with Moana Pasifika in 2025.

There was no shortage of offers on the table for the 2023 World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, but as Savea revealed after announcing his decision, his connections to the club enticed him.

“The Blues have always been in my heart,” Savea explained. “I’ve had really good mates that played there, Rieko (Ioane), Mamba (Mark Tele’a), and I always thought how awesome it would be to play.

“I’ve seen the growth in Alf (Jason Holland), and just seeing the success he’s had in previous teams. You kind of see the fruits of his labour, and I’m excited. I think we’re all going to be excited.”

While Tele’a is no longer with the Auckland club, Ioane is home-bound after a season abroad with Leinster that appears to have reignited his attacking game. That refresh will be further enhanced by the more attack-minded approach Holland will bring to the team compared to ex-head coach Vern Cotter. One of the most explosive attacking loose-forward talents in rugby history, Savea’s arrival adds another level of X-factor to a back row unit brimming with potential.

The signing also follows some mammoth departures for the Blues, who lost former captain Dalton Papali’i and fellow All Black Hoskins Sotutu after the recent season.

Diving into his thought process, Savea shared some of the more philosophical reasoning behind his decision.

“Obviously, my beliefs are around being authentically yourself, and there’s no team that exemplifies that like the Blues. You know, you got Swags (Hoskins Sotutu), you got the Joker (Rieko Ioane) there.

“You see the boys, you know, in the fashion sense and whatnot. And hearing Alfie talk, I’m just excited about how they want to play the game too.

“So, for me, man, I think I’m purpose over circumstance. Being able to go to the ’09, a city that I’ve lived in before, and to actually just bring the people together and play a style of game that we want to unite our city.

“But also for me being in an unexpected place – If you were telling me 10 years ago I’d be playing for the Blues, I’d laugh at you. But there’s something beautiful about being in an unexpected place. It allows you to grow, allows you to learn, and stay fresh.

“I think for me, when an athlete feels really safe, it brings the best out of them, and I think you see that at the Blues.

“Obviously, there’s a perception of me being the leader in the international team, and you know, an older guy. But to stay young, you’ve got to also be down with the people. You can’t be at the top directing orders. You’ve got to serve. You’ve got to be with the people; you’ve got to eat at the same table. You don’t see yourself higher than anyone else.

“So, to be able to serve and be with the boys and create something special, hopefully, and bring the chip home, that’ll be awesome to do. And that’s my goal: to win the chip, but also enjoy it at the same time.