All Blacks star Ardie Savea will miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season after the Moana Pasifika back-rower agreed a sabbatical to play in Japan.
The back-rower last featured in the Japan Rugby League One in 2024 before he agreed a contract extension with New Zealand Rugby which kept him tied to the governing body until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
However, written into that deal was another option to have a short-term stint abroad in 2026 and Savea has once again taken that up.
Back for 2027
He will make the move to Kobe Steelers – the team he played for last year – before returning to Moana for the 2027 Super Rugby campaign.
“I have so much love for what we started with Moana this year so I’m looking forward to coming back in 2027,” Savea said.
“It’s hard to leave, even though it’s only for one season, but I’ll be supporting the team from afar and will stay involved behind the scenes. This year at Moana Pasifika was the happiest I’ve been in my career.
“On the other hand, Japan is a special place and I love the culture and the people. It’s exciting to return to a club that has given me an opportunity to have beautiful experiences on and off the field.”
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga added: “Ardie obviously goes with our blessing.
“These sabbaticals are part of the modern game and we have been preparing for this for some time. We will continue to build the momentum of our movement in 2026 and work hard to grow our game so that we will be even better when he gets back to us in 2027.”
All Blacks stars abroad
While Savea has exercised a clause to take up an offer overseas, it will not affect his All Blacks career given that the Japanese season finishes well before the mid-year internationals.
Just like Jordie Barrett, who has just returned after six months with Leinster, and his brother Beauden, who has enjoyed stints at Suntory Sungoliath and Toyota Verblitz in 2021 and 2024 respectively, he will not miss any Test action.
Damian McKenzie is another to have used the sabbatical option – in 2022 – while Rieko Ioane will follow in Barrett’s footsteps later this year after agreeing a short-term deal with Leinster.
“Sabbaticals are a key component of our contracting model and provide flexibility for our most senior All Blacks to spend some time in a different environment,” Chris Lendrum, NZR’s general manager professional rugby and performance, said.
“In Ardie’s case he has played 94 Tests for the All Blacks and more than a decade as a professional player in New Zealand.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ardie-savea-reveals-another-short-term-move-as-all-blacks-star-signs-deal-abroad
