All Blacks and Moana Pasifika star Ardie Savea is still undecided on his future beyond the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Savea made the shock decision to join Moana instead of returning to the Hurricanes after a spell at a Japanese club, Kobelco Kobe Steelers, in 2024.
The bombshell move was part of his extension through to 2027 with New Zealand Rugby, which includes an option to take up another sabbatical if he wishes to do so.
The back-rower has been in sterling form for Moana, with his presence in the squad attracting more and more fans to the Pasifika matches.
Ardie Savea on the move?
Speaking ahead of his side’s crunch clash with the Blues, which could help secure an unlikely play-off spot, Savea says he has yet to decide where he will be playing his rugby next year.
The back-rower could follow fellow All Blacks Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane in exercising the clause to take up a short-term sabbatical overseas.
Asked about his plans, Savea expressed his love for Moana but admitted that he has to look after his family, an understandable point as the All Blacks star has three young kids.
I still haven’t decided that yet,” he told RNZ Sport and reporters at Moana’s training ground.
“It’s something that my (management) team is talking about.
“I love it here, but also obviously looking after the family as well and whatnot.
“So it’s a decision still to be made.”
Turning his attention to this weekend’s clash against the Blues, Savea said that the last time the two sides faced off, the Aucklanders won the forward battle.
He admits that Moana need to be sharper up front if they are to keep their play-off hopes alive.
“I think we probably got bullied, our forward pack. It starts there,” he said.
“If you’re not winning up front, set-piece ball, then that’s going to be a long day for our backs.
“We know how physical, how big our Blues brothers are and how they play the game.
“And I thought we didn’t deal with that too well last time.
“So we’ve got to front up and turn up, first and foremost. I think if we do that, it gives us the best chance to put ourselves in a position to win.”
After facing the Blues, Moana have two more games to go in the regular season with a trip to Waikato to face the table-topping Chiefs before concluding the season against Savea’s former employers, the Hurricanes, in the capital city.
