All Blacks captain Ardie Savea says his move to the Blues for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season represents a chance to embrace change and challenge himself in a new environment.
According to a report by 1News, Savea will join the Auckland-based franchise on a one-year deal after the collapse of Moana Pasifika, where he played a key role during the 2025 Super Rugby campaign.
The 32-year-old said the Blues had always been a team he admired and that the opportunity was something he never expected a decade ago.
“The Blues have always been on my heart," Savea said. "I’ve always thought how awesome it would be to play, so I've been really blessed to have this opportunity.
“If you told me 10 years ago I’d be playing for the Blues, I’d laugh at you.
“But there’s something beautiful about being in an unexpected place. It allows you to grow, allows you to learn, stay fresh,” as quoted by 1News.
Savea said the possibility of joining the Blues emerged after he met chief executive Karl Budge in Japan. The pair spent about five hours discussing their views on rugby and the way the game should be played.
“We kicked off and shared a lot of common things around creativity and how the game should look. Then it turned into a reality," Savea said, 1News has quoted.
His move will keep him in Auckland and add significant experience to the Blues' loose forward options. He will also reunite with fellow All Black Rieko Ioane, who is returning to the franchise following his stint in Ireland.
According to 1News, Savea is currently recovering from shoulder surgery after dislocating his shoulder during the All Blacks' 29-24 defeat to South Africa. He expects to spend “a couple of months off” before aiming to be “ready to rock” for the Super Rugby season.
Despite being the All Blacks captain, Savea said he would not expect an automatic starting place at the Blues.
“I’ve got to train hard to make the team first," he said. “I’m not going there thinking things are guaranteed for me. Nah, I’ve got to earn my spot," as quoted by 1News.
Savea also said he wanted his impact at the Blues to extend beyond performances on the field.
“I want to see the Blues as a team that wins on the field, but also wins off it," he said.
"That’s by uniting our city through how we play, and through how we do things," 1News has quoted.