Ardie Savea to join the Blues for 2027 season

All Blacks

less than 1 hour agoBy: Sam Smith

Ardie Savea will reunite with former Hurricanes mentor Jason Holland for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season

In what is a massive but largely expected coup, Ardie Savea will pull on a Blues jumper for the first time as the five-time champions chase another Super Rugby Pacific title in 2027.

Following the exit of Moana Pasifika, for whom Savea had been immense during the 2025 seaon, the All Blacks captain will reunite with former Hurricanes mentor Jason Holland, already signed as heead coach for the coming season.

“First

and

foremost

I

honour

Moana

and

their

team

no

longer

being

in

the

competition,

but

the

Blues

have

always

been

on

my

heart.

I’ve

always

thought

how

awesome

it

would

be

to

play

there,

and

I’ve

been

really

blessed

with

this

opportunity,”
Ardie Savea

Watch: All Black #1147 | Ardie Savea

Savea's arrival is a timely one for the Blues with the departures of key loose forards and former All Blacks Dalton Papali'i and Hoskins Sotutu following the 2026 campaign.

“I always think of purpose over circumstance. To go into the 09, a city where I've lived before, and have the chance to bring people together with this team is pretty exciting.

“In Auckland we represent so many ethnicities and cultures, so what a great chance to use rugby as a vehicle through how we act and make people feel.”

Blues CEO Karl Budge is equally excited by the signing saying “We’re incredibly happy to have someone not only of his playing and leadership capability, but also, we’re pretty obsessed about how we win back the city, and he’s going to make a huge contribution on and off the field. He’s one of the most entertaining people I've ever met,”