All Blacks captain Ardie Savea says the chance to join the Blues is an opportunity to embrace change, admitting he would have laughed at the prospect of making the move a decade ago.
Last week, 1News revealed Savea would join the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season on a one-year deal, following the downfall of Moana Pasifika.
Speaking about the move now it was offically confirmed, Savea said the Blues had long been a team he admired and the chance to play for the Auckland franchise represented a fresh challenge.
“The Blues have always been on my heart," Savea said. "I’ve always thought how awesome it would be to play, so I've been really blessed to have this opportunity.
“If you told 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, stay fresh.”
Savea said conversations about joining the franchise developed after meeting Blues chief executive Karl Budge in Japan, with the pair spending around five hours discussing their ideas about rugby and how the game should be played.
“We kicked off and shared a lot of common things around creativity and how the game should look. Then it turned into a reality," Savea said.
The move would keep Savea in Auckland after he spent the 2025 Super Rugby season with Moana Pasifika, helping transform the side into playoff contenders during a standout campaign.
He remained with Moana this year, although spent the season on sabbatical with Japanese club Kobe, but the franchise's demise left the 32-year-old needing a new Super Rugby home heading into the 2027 season.
His arrival would add considerable experience to the Blues' loose forward stocks, which included Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling and Torian Barnes.
It would also reunite Savea with fellow All Black Rieko Ioane, who was returning to the Blues after his stint in Ireland.
'I've got to earn my spot'
Savea was currently recovering from shoulder surgery after he dislocated it during the All Blacks' 29-24 loss to the Springboks last month.
He said he expected to have “a couple months off” but hoped to be “ready to rock” before the Super Rugby season.
Despite his standing as All Blacks captain, Savea said he wasn't expecting to simply walk into the Blues starting side.
“I’ve got to train hard to make the team first," he said. “I’m not going there thinking things are guaranteed for me. Nah, I’ve got to earn my spot."
Savea said his ambition extended beyond results when he eventually pulled on a Blues jersey.
“I want to see the Blues as a team that wins on the field, but also wins off it," he said.
"That’s by uniting our city through how we play, and through how we do things."
SHARE ME