Moana Pasifika are downplaying their dependence on outgoing skipper Ardie Savea. 

He will miss Super Rugby next year to take up a sabbatical in Japan, before making a 2027 return. 

Savea is signed with NZR through to the end of the 2027 World Cup in Australia and will end up spending half of that cycle playing in Japan. 

Franchise boss Debbie Sorensen told Mike Hosking that Savea’s contribution might look inordinate, but there’s a lot of things that go together to make the team work really well. 

She says that he’s worked quite hard to ensure he’s not the single outlier, working hard to bring the squad together and mentor other players. 

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