Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France
37 - 23
FT
39 - 19
FT
52 - 17
FT
28 - 24
FT
22 - 30
FT
30 - 3
FT
41 - 9
FT
12 - 45
FT
29 - 37
FT
11 - 29
FT
Tomorrow
08:40
Tomorrow
10:00
Tomorrow
11:10
Tomorrow
15:05
Super Rugby Pacific

Julian Savea signs with Moana Pasifika

(Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

The speculation has been confirmed, former All Black and Hurricanes legend Julian Savea has signed with Moana Pasifika for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

ADVERTISEMENT

The man who fans call “Bus” due to his imposing running game announced he was leaving his hometown Wellington Super Rugby Club two weeks ago, after contract discussions failed to reach the desired outcome.

Moana Pasifika’s name was the first thrown out by fans when Savea announced he would be signing with another team in the league.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

Savea will represent his Samoan heritage, the villages of Siumu, Luatuanu’u, and Falesiu Uta, and suit up in what was looking to be an under-strength Moana backline after the departure of the damaging Levi Aumua and Timoci Tavatavanawai.

While the schedule has been announced, Moana Pasifika are yet to reveal the full details of their draw as more home games in the islands are being discussed.

54 Tests of international experience and one of the most prolific try-scoring records at both Super Rugby and international level will be a huge asset to the Moana team who are eager to improve on their last-place finish in 2023.

“Savea’s pace, strength and ability to finish out wide will be a tremendous asset for Moana Pasifika on the field, but his impact off the field will also prove beneficial,” the franchise said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

“With one of the most recognisable names in rugby, his injection into the Moana Pasifika community space will be inspirational to Pasifika rugby hopefuls in New Zealand and across the Pacific.”

It will be in round 13 where the Hurricanes hero will come up against his former side for the first time. The match will be played in Wellington.

It was reported that incoming coach Clarke Laidlaw prioritised young talent like Kini Naholo, Joshua Moorsby, Dan Sinkinson and Salesi Rayasi in the outside back stocks.

Recommended

The problem with the All Blacks' kicking game against France

'Arguably the greatest coach' back in All Blacks camp after Wallaby excursion

'The All Blacks didn't want to admit to ourselves that we were chokers at the World Cup'

'Look at what happened four years ago': All Blacks on losing first game of RWC

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

1

All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

2

Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu admits anger at Australian rugby

3

Fissler Confidential: Willie le Roux rumours ignite after Bok star spotted

4

France player ratings vs Argentina | Autumn Nations Series

5

English club target Liam Williams for Premiership return

6

Rassie Erasmus holds the solution to England's Jamie George conundrum

7

The Springboks have something you don't have

8

David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Comments

1 Comment
d
dave 437 days ago

Great to see. Really happy for Tans, Julian and the who MP setup. So much knowledge to share. And that record to get on his own.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

LONG READ

Kazuki Himeno: ‘Eddie gave me a task - to be the world's best back-rower’

The Brave Blossoms roll into London desperate to show English rugby its wealth of riches with the gifted back-row at the forefront.

LONG READ

Lamb to the slaughter? Italy aim to 'get stuck into' All Blacks

Italy were hammered by New Zealand at RWC23, but Dino Lamb says there is 'no bigger opportunity' to face 'the best'.

LONG READ

Gatland defiant but Welsh rugby no nearer escape route with Springboks looming

No one is expecting Wales to beat South Africa but the performance will go a long way to proving Gatland retains the faith of his players

Comments on RugbyPass

G
GP 19 minutes ago
‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders

Who would you have played at 10 with Richie Mo'unga gone and Fergus Burke not available till late in the season ? Scott Barrett hardly played, Sam Whitelock was overseas. There were injuries amongst the replacements. The fairy story that Robertson would have won in this situation is a exactly that a fairy story. We went within a whisker of getting in the play offs late in the season, because we had Fergus Burke, Blackadder others back. Codie Taylor made a big impact when he came back from his sabbatical. Hopefully he will be the captain next year, Codie has had a great season since returning to the Crusaders and for the All Blacks.

11 Go to comments
B
BM 22 minutes ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Earned a 9.5 with top game overall though Tk while Italians were allowed to crowd breakdown without penalty often. We do have Love with two tries in 4 Test 😎minutes on field!

10 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 35 minutes ago
All Blacks survive physical Italy scare after captain carded

Yes, at some point they'll need to develop depth & consistency.

4 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 36 minutes ago
‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders

Sorry mate, this is mumbo jumbo. What are you on about?

11 Go to comments
U
Utiku Old Boy 56 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

Yeah right.

9 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

5min - I'm getting sick of the on field ref being overruled. He clearly sees the drop and rules no knock on but changes his call when the touchie pipes up from miles away. get out of here!

10 Go to comments
U
Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

If Razor picked jaded players, where is the role of a squad? Where is the anticipated innovation from this group? The season has been a big disappointment considering the talent available (but left sitting on the sideline). Was ready for a fresh approach after the frustration of the Foster era but we only got more of the same and a timid coaching group.

9 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Watching the game now I get a sense of things to come. Ref puts his flag up when Patricks legs go over the line ages after he has released the ball. That is not out in touch.


Then Tele'a has a brain fade and tries to jump into touch, slapping the ball back, when he should know and be trained in running from outside touch and jumping into the field of play with it. If he had of done that simple fix of altering his approach angle there's noway anyone is getting to him to stop the try.

10 Go to comments
U
Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago
All Blacks survive physical Italy scare after captain carded

Underwhelming AB performance. Much like their season. Watching the Boks and Ireland put in AB-like performances only show how far this AB team has to go. Selections and game plan still based on "not losing" - not innovation.

4 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

They did. In 2020.


Would have been WC victory with Razor in charge last year! Schmidt would have been pulled in to help Rennie and these performances would have built up last year for Aussie (instead of his incfluence helping NZ) and they would have been riding a high of returning players and league signings building to the B&I Lions and a RWC at home. And then Smchidt would have been ready to take the mantel of the All Blacks this year!


Oh how it could have been so so different if Robinson had of realised the folly in the handme down appointments policy they had back then.

9 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

IDK if you can say that, and as I contended before the game, I don't know if you can really call it the strongest side (selecting fatigued players) either. Which would certainly be one of many of Razor's failings this year if was the case (yet to watch). Wasn't that also the top side's last hit out before Ireland?

9 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders

Definitely as Christchurch based decline if you believe some.

11 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders

23% is a fair reflection of the that was turning out last year imo.


It's not the same comp with non NZ easy beat teams to inflate yuor record anymore.


You might be disheartened for me to predict a semi final performance and Penney that is wanted back. Can you deal with that? 😝

11 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders

Pretty much now the only old fart retained from last year isn't he? Still has some solid legs under him but probably lucky he signed before Hutchinson got a chance to impress in the NPC (which I was surprised he did after I thought he stalled a lot of the U20's flair in the JRWC this year).

11 Go to comments
_
_Ty 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

No way Beauden gets a 9.5. He gave up possession too easily by kicking the ball away. Either too long or just aimless. One of those kicks lead directly to the Italians only try. He also missed the last tackle too, so he couldn't even clean up his mistake.

10 Go to comments
H
Head high tackle 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I thought they were very inept Sadersman. That was a horrible performance and just adds to the year where just when we think they are improving they do this. Look at the way Schmidt has turned Aus around. Perhaps NZR made the wrong choice.

9 Go to comments
J
John 1 hour ago
The Wallabies have a serious problem

Yeah, defs a decent player, I can't personally say because I haven't been watching him, but I would hazard a guess he isn't more dominant than a AAA or perhaps a HJH?

13 Go to comments
H
Head high tackle 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think all you need to do is look at Aus to see where the big issue is for the ABs. Aus can turn a world cup pool failure to beating England in the same time Razor has taken the ABs from a 1 point loss in the WC last year to an absolute rabble this year. ABs won 91-17 v Italy last year with our so called B side. This was Razors strongest side yet were terrible. They look like they met yesterday.

9 Go to comments
J
JW 2 hours ago
All Blacks survive physical Italy scare after captain carded

Yeah they're away of it too. It was brought up in one of the Italian focused articles. They are performing now and trying to move out of that 'being in awe' type attitude.


Very easy to say we're good enough to put all our focus on wining this last big game of the year (this one) though, you also need to be consistent and still perform in the other games (slip up against Georgia) and not get ahead of yourself. Not think you're too good for teams like Argentina and Georgia just because theres a shift in attitude towards thinking 'were good enough to beat anybody now'. Hope they go forward from here but I think this performance is still only good enough to keep them off wooden spoon 6N position (keep them well away from the bottom mind you).

4 Go to comments
J
JW 2 hours ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

Yeah I predicted (out of thin air) it to be more like 30 points between them. You don't think it wasn't more like that because they picked jaded players?


Will have a look at the game now I guess.

9 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING ‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders ‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Saders
Search