All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea is already being lined up for a sensational move to Europe — despite being under contract with Moana Pasifika and New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2027.
The 31-year-old loose forward, crowned World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in 2023, is understood to be at the top of Racing 92’s shopping list. Reports from Australia claim the Parisian giants want to make him their marquee signing after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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And the numbers being thrown around are eye-watering. Racing are said to be ready to make Savea the highest-paid player in rugby history, eclipsing even the mega-deals Dan Carter and Matt Giteau once commanded in Japan.
Savea’s stellar CV
96 All Black caps since debuting in 2016.
Vice-captain of the All Blacks, haka leader and one of the squad’s most influential figures.
Captain of Moana Pasifika, where he inspired a rise into Super Rugby playoff contention in 2025.
Winner of Super Rugby Pacific’s inaugural Player of the Year award.
Kelvin R. Tremain Player of the Year for New Zealand Rugby.
Born in Wellington of Samoan heritage, Savea was head prefect and 1st XV captain at Rongotai College before breaking through with the Hurricanes in 2013. Off the pitch, he is a family man — married to Saskia with three children — and runs a clothing line while advocating strongly for mental health awareness.
Contract situation
Savea is locked in with NZR until the end of 2027, with a confirmed sabbatical season in Japan at Kobe Steelers in 2026. That leaves the door wide open for Racing 92 to swoop in the following year with what could be the biggest pay-packet rugby has ever seen.
If the French giants get their way, the All Blacks’ talisman could soon follow in the footsteps of Carter — but on an even bigger stage, and for an even bigger pay-cheque.
EDITORS PICKS:
“Awful” – Five All Blacks Who Flopped in Historic Defeat Against Argentina
Argentina secured their first-ever home victory over New Zealand as they beat the All Blacks 29–23 in front of a raucous Buenos Aires crowd.
Juan Martin Gonzalez and Gonzalo Garcia scored tries either side of the break for Argentina, while Santiago Carreras kicked 13 crucial points from the tee.
Billy Proctor, Fletcher Newell and Samisoni Taukei’aho crossed for New Zealand, but an ill-disciplined display cost them dearly, with three yellow cards — including two in the space of three minutes — halting their momentum.
Damian McKenzie’s last-minute penalty at least salvaged a losing bonus point, keeping the All Blacks top of the Rugby Championship table with six points from two games.
Still, the performance left plenty of questions. Here are five All Blacks who flopped in Buenos Aires — and who could be in danger of losing their places.
Jordie Barrett
Rugby Pass gave him a 5/10, noting: “Put in a weird left foot chip kick in the middle of nowhere, and had a very quiet first half for his standards. Carried hard to try and get the All Blacks over the gain line. Didn’t drop the intensity late in the game, but it wasn’t Barrett’s most fluid and groundbreaking performance.”
Stuff were far more damning with a 3/10: “Awful chip kick early in the piece set the tone. Another to be pinged for a deliberate knock on, while missed a game-high five tackles and wasn’t able to put his aerial or boot strengths to good use.”
A night to forget for the fullback, whose usual authority never surfaced.
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