Ardie Savea, the former Hurricanes captain, has been named the leader of Moana Pasifika as the DHL Super Rugby Pacific season approaches, set to begin next week. The announcement was made earlier this week, highlighting Savea’s notable experience, which includes 131 games with the Hurricanes and a season spent with Kobelco Kobe Steelers. He also boasts 91 test caps for the All Blacks.
At 31, Savea expressed his appreciation for being appointed captain, a role he anticipated since his signing with the team. He committed to leading both by performance on the field and by fostering team spirit and unity off the field. “I want to serve the brothers, serve the team, serves the franchise and serve the people anyway I can,” Savea stated.
During a recent pre-season camp, Savea and his teammates bonded well, improving their rapport as they prepared for the upcoming season. He noted the benefit of spending time with new players and learning from existing leaders within the team.
Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga praised Savea, describing him as an exemplary leader and hard worker who elevates those around him. Umaga emphasized that Savea’s leadership qualities would be crucial in impacting the team’s performance.
Moana Pasifika is currently evaluating its squad after their recent warm-up match against the Highlanders, where several lesser-known players performed strongly, indicating a growing depth within the team. Umaga expressed his confidence heading into the new season, recognizing that there is still work to be done but feeling satisfied with the team’s progress thus far.
Overall, Savea’s leadership is seen as a positive development as Moana Pasifika prepares for a challenging season ahead, with expectations for competitiveness and growth on the field.
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