Ardie Savea signs with the Blues in self-described 'last dance' Super Rugby move

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has signed with the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, ending months of speculation about his next destination and declaring it will be his final club in New Zealand.

Savea made the announcement via Instagram after teasing followers for roughly 40 minutes on a YouTube livestream, at one point donning a Highlanders jersey and calling his brother Julian while wearing a Hurricanes shirt before finally pulling on Blues colours.

“I’ve signed with the Blues for 2027 next year,” Savea said during the stream. “The reason why I had the last dance is because it’s going to be my last Super Rugby team that I’m going to play for in New Zealand, so hence why it’s called the last dance.”

The 30-year-old loose forward played more than 130 Super Rugby matches for the Hurricanes before moving to Japan with the Kobe Kobelco Steelers. He returned to Super Rugby Pacific last season with Moana Pasifika, where he was named the competition’s Player of the Year. A second Japan Rugby League One campaign followed under now-All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, during which he won a championship title.

With Moana Pasifika no longer part of Super Rugby Pacific, Savea’s next move had been one of the most discussed topics in New Zealand rugby. Rumours of a Blues switch had circulated widely in recent weeks, and Savea confirmed those reports were accurate.

“Moana obviously not in the comp and shoutout to my brothers at Moana… really blessed to have the Blues beside me. Can’t wait,” he added.

In other New Zealand signing news on the same day, All Blacks backrower Semisi Ta’eiloa has joined defending Super Rugby Pacific champions the Hurricanes on a two-year deal. Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw praised the 22-year-old’s physical attributes and highlighted his selection for the All Blacks’ tour to South Africa as evidence of his rapid development.

“His destructive power both in the tackle and in the ball-carry was obvious,” Laidlaw said. “He’s only 22, and his game is going to develop and grow.”