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'Shucks, I've signed a five-year contract over in Europe': Ardie Savea jokes about undecided future plans

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Ardie Savea is off-contract with New Zealand Rugby at the end of the year and the powers that be will be trying desperately to ensure the Hurricanes captain remains in NZ until at least the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

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While Savea wants his team to put a good performance on the park to honour the departing members of the Hurricanes in what is shaping up as their final match of Super Rugby for the year, he’s yet to make a decision himself where his future lies.

“Being back at home, being in front of family and friends at SKY Stadium and knowing that it’s the last game for a few of our players at home, that’s pretty special and I think that’s one of the big drivers for us this week,” Savea told media on Thursday.

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“This week’s all about little changes in our game but also around connecting and making sure we kind of embrace the situation we’re in. It’s a pretty tough situation but [it’s also about embracing] the uniqueness and just being able to play footy – stripping it right back and having brothers play potentially their last game. Being back home in front of friends and family is pretty special.”

There have been rumours that Savea could shift to new Super Rugby franchise Moana Pasifika next season, while the 49-cap All Black could also command a huge salary off-shore.

“Shucks, I’ve signed a five-year contract over in Europe,” he joked. “I’m kidding bro.

“I still haven’t decided what I’m doing just yet. Kind of just been focussing on getting my injury right. That was kind of my main focus the last couple of weeks. I haven’t really thought about it actually at the moment but should do.

Savea revealed that he wouldn’t be seriously contemplating his future until after the Super Rugby season comes to a close – likely this weekend – and that a number of factors would come into consideration, including the ever-present pull of the black jersey.

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“To be the world’s best, you’ve got to play against the world’s best,” Savea said. “That can only happen on the international stage. The All Blacks and the jersey’s always been something that’s really special to myself and many other players around the world.

“I love to play [in NZ] but you never know where the holy spirit takes me and God takes me. I’m just living in the moment, living present, and wherever the spirit takes me, I’ll go there.”

Unlike Savea, there are no question marks about All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape’s future, with the former Warrior set to take up a contract with Stade Francais in the coming weeks. Laumape will start in the midfield once last time for the Hurricanes in their match with the Reds.

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While Laumape has been a huge presence for the Hurricanes on the park throughout his five years with the team, it’s off the field where Savea says he’s made the biggest contributions.

“He’s been amazing,” said Savea. “I still remember the first phone call, when he called me when he was with the Warriors. He asked me how I would do at union and I told him he would be one of the greats. For him to come to union, to come into a high-level team in Super Rugby and be where he is now I think is a testament to himself and his family.

“It’s going to be pretty emotional, you know? I’ve formed a real strong bond with Ngans outside of the field so I’m just excited for him to go out there in his last one at home and just to have fun and be free. He’s done amazing things for us in this jersey. He’s done so much more off the field, which is a testament to him.”

As a number of Hurricanes players are yet to confirm their futures, there won’t be too big a fanfare on Friday evening when the match kicks off, said Savea, but there’ll be plenty of reminiscing and celebrating once the seasons comes to a formal close.

“We all know deep down inside this is going to be the last time that this group is together and that’s kind of a goosebumpy feeling.

“We won’t do anything in particular at the start because we don’t know who’s staying or who’s going, apart from Ngans, but hopefully afterwards when the season’s done and we have our after-match function, we’re able to celebrate those guys in the right way and honour them.”

The Hurricanes will take on the Reds at 7:05pm NZT on Friday evening from SKY Stadium in Wellington.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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