Ardie Savea (New Zealand) will be self-employed in Japan after the World Cup

We only saw him all summer at the rugby tournament. Keystone in the All Blacks group looking for themselves, third streak of Hurricane Ardie Savea (29, 67 caps) was one of the rare New Zealand players to set his side in the direction of the march forward.

This undisputed driving force for New Zealand 15th has just announced that he will be self-employed with Kobelco’s Kobe Steelers at the end of the 2023 season. The player returned last year with the New Zealand Federation (NZRU) for a four-year term. But one of the clauses of his contract offered him the possibility of profitable independent work in the Japanese championship. It is a compromise that has become common for the Kiwis to negotiate to avoid exodus of their players to Europe in more financially robust tournaments.

“Extraordinary experience”

The Japanese competition, shorter (six months) and closer, is increasingly under the influence of New Zealand. Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen becomes a consultant to Toyota Verblitz, joined by former All Blacks captain Kieran Reed after his international retirement.

Savia will return to New Zealand in June 2024 and, according to his association regulations, will once again be eligible to join the All Blacks as were Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock or Beauden Barrett who went on to do freelance work in Japan.

“Being able to play in Japan will be an extraordinary experience for me, Savia commented. I can’t wait to experience the wonderful culture of this country as well as the Kobe fans at the matches. »