Coach Tana Umaga revealed that “everyone went quiet” in the Moana Pasifika squad when new signing and All Black great Ardie Savea visited the club for the first time.
New Zealand’s vice captain is set to make the move to Moana Pasifika as he looks to pay homage to his Samoan roots where he also joins older brother Julian in the ever improving Super Rugby Pacific.
One of the biggest moves in history
The signing of Ardie from the Hurricanes is certainly the biggest transfer in the club’s history with the back-row adding tremendous quality to Umaga’s loose forward options.
The younger Savea is still on his break but insisted he come and see the set-up.
“Having him in was great,” Umaga told the New Zealand Herald. “He contacted me earlier in the week and said, ‘I’m keen to pop up and meet the players’
“He’s still on his leave. He flew in that morning and flew home that evening, he got to meet everyone.”
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Left squad speechless
While Umaga was pleased to have Ardie meet everyone the coach admits the squad was starstruck by the great All Black with Julian having to reassure the other stars that his brother is a regular guy.
“I should have had him for longer, as soon as he came in, everyone was really quiet. You could hear his brother [saying] ‘just act natural guys, he’s just like anyone else.’
“That’s the aura that he has within our group.”
Debut in 2025
There is no surprise the great All Black commands such a presence having been a mainstay in New Zealand colours for an extended period and there is no doubt he is already a legend of the national side.
Rugby fans wait with great anticipation over Savea’s debut for his new club, likely alongside his brother in Moana Pasifika colours in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific.
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-black-ardie-savea-oozes-aura-as-first-visit-to-moana-pasifika-leaves-squad-starstruck
