This is obviously how it\u2019s going to be for Savea, though \u2013 his style, demeanour and attitude picked away at and judged differently to his peers by a small cohort who don\u2019t like that he\u2019s leading the All Blacks, but don\u2019t seem to know why.<\/p>\n
Dave Rennie has named Ardie Savea as All Blacks captain. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The rapid-fire nature of his time in office is going to continue as he and New Zealand Rugby need to quickly find him a new Super club, ideally before the All Blacks head to South Africa at the end of next month.<\/p>\n
The Herald has been told that Savea, who was contracted to play for Moana Pasifika next season, has put off negotiating with any of the five foundation franchises \u2013 the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders \u2013 until confirmation came (on Wednesday) that Moana will not be part of Super Rugby Pacific next year.<\/p>\n
Now that he\u2019s on the market, there will be no shortage of suitors, but it is the Blues who are the favourites to sign him, primarily because they are the most motivated, have a space in their squad for him, and because Savea is believed to be keen to stay in Auckland, having been based there since his shift to Moana last year.<\/p>\n
The Blues are losing senior loose forwards Dalton Papali\u2019i<\/a> and Hoskins Sotutu<\/a>, leaving behind a young, talented group that includes new All Black Anton Segner<\/a>, Torian Barnes and Malachi Wrampling.<\/p>\n The Hurricanes, where Savea played for more than a decade, are not thought to be likely strong bidders as they have a depth of back-row talent with experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the sticking point in the transaction is likely to be money, as Savea is thought to have negotiated a third-party deal with Moana that was worth $250,000 a year.<\/p>\n The Blues will be able to offer him the maximum $195,000, but may not have the ability or desire to top that up with or without a third-party contribution to match the income Savea would have earned with Moana<\/a>.<\/p>\n It might be, then, given the unusual circumstances, that New Zealand Rugby (NZR) steps in to meet any pay expectations that are deemed fair and reasonable to ensure that the process of finding Savea a Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> club is expedited.<\/p>\n Savea having to be rehoused is a potential banana skin with significant potential to blow up into a prolonged and lingering drama if it\u2019s not handled effectively and sympathetically.<\/p>\n Some of this is about providing Savea with certainty, to stop the issue becoming a distraction.<\/p>\n But a much bigger part is removing the prospect of any ill-feeling developing between Savea and NZR, after the latter rejected the salvage bid to save Moana<\/a>.<\/p>\n Against all intentions, the attempt to save Moana became highly politicised after the Governments of Samoa and Tonga sought permission to reallocate aid and development funding<\/a> from New Zealand\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade into underwriting the side.<\/p>\n It was a move backed by Winston Peters, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade<\/a>, on the basis that rugby has a critical economic, cultural and social role to play in both Samoa and Tonga.<\/p>\n NZR was not immune to the argument, but it concluded that the salvage bid didn\u2019t have the requisite $15 million of capital it needed to be approved.<\/p>\n As custodians of Super Rugby Pacific and owners of the Moana licence, NZR, fairly, saw the issue purely through an economic lens while the Pasifika rugby community no doubt had a social, cultural and emotional perspective and the decision to close the club is a devastating blow for the longer-term future of the game in the Islands.<\/p>\nArdie Savea had a stellar season with Moana Pasifika, in 2025. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n