Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea has spoken publicly for the first time about his hope that the franchise continues despite funding issues which have made headlines recently.
Savea was outstanding this season – his first for the Auckland-based side after moving north from the Hurricanes – and his inspirational form and leadership helped Moana Pasifika to its highest ever placing of seventh.
They were in the playoffs mix until the final round and notched first ever victories over the Highlanders, Blues and Crusaders. They also beat the Hurricanes.
But the franchise, supported by New Zealand Rugby, World Rugby, and Pasifika Medical Association Group, which bought the franchise last year, is not on solid ground financially and there are concerns among the rugby community – clearly also held by Savea – that it could struggle to continue.
Savea, 31, training with the All Blacks ahead of Saturday’s first Test against France in Dunedin, was asked today about the issues surrounding a club that had contributed to what he has described as his most enjoyable season of rugby.
“You saw what the team did for New Zealand and the people,” Savea said. “It would be a huge loss if Moana wasn’t in any rugby competition. Any competition needs them… we’re the Lord’s team, we’re the people’s team.”
Savea, who recently announced he would serve a sabbatical in Japan next year and therefore not play Super Rugby in 2026, carried an enormous responsibility at Moana Pasifika over the past eight months or so and the workload told.
“I was tired,” he said. “I probably didn’t realise at the time but I was fatigued. But the heart was full. When the heart and spirit is full it kind of takes over your body… it was nice to take a breath and relax and come back in here and get stuck into it.”
Coming back into the All Blacks environment was no hardship, however.
“It’s what it demands of you… when the purpose is clear and strong you do everything you can to turn up. We’ve spent the last couple of days coming together as one and that’s what works for me.”
One of the more contentions decisions the selectors must make this week is the make-up of the loose forwards, as well as the identity of their No.10 and the left wing/midfield mix.
With Wallace Sititi out of the series due to an ankle injury and Luke Jacobson set to miss the first Test due to concussion protocols following the Super Rugby Pacific final, Savea, Samipeni Finau and Du’Plessi Kirifi are the only loose forwards available from the original 33-man squad.
Christian Lio-Willie and Dalton Papali’i have joined the squad as injury cover and at least one will play in Dunedin.
It is possible that the selectors go for Finau, Savea and Kirifi at blindside flanker, No.8 and openside flanker respectively but it’s just as possible that they select Lio-Willie as a like-for-like replacement for No.8 Sititi and pick Finau and Savea as flankers. That would leave Kirifi on the bench as an impact player – a role he is likely to fill in the short to medium term.
Asked about his willingness to play No.7 after playing there for Moana this year and starting his Test career there, Savea replied: “I don’t have a say do I? Just wherever Razor needs me or where I fit in best for the team… if that’s 12 or 13 I’d do my best.
“The loosie roles are quite interchangeable now on the field… it’s how collectively as a trio you work together and that’s what I want to build as a loose trio with the All Blacks – to be able to connect well and work together."
Of Kirifi, with whom he played at the Hurricanes, and Crusader Lio-Willie, Savea said: “They’ve played awesome and they’re in here for a reason… the All Blacks is a different level and it’s on to us to get around each other and best prepare for Test level.”
Robertson, who will announce his team on Thursday, may start Beauden Barrett at No.10 ahead of Damian McKenzie, with Rieko Ioane a good chance to start on the left wing, with Billy Proctor at centre.
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