Moana Pasifika players Ardie and Julian Savea are returning to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes. Photo: Blake Armstrong/ActionPress
Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika
Kickoff: 7.05pm Saturday, 31 May
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Hurricanes could be forgiven for still being upset by Ardie Savea's move to Moana Pasifika, but his former team insist the All Blacks star will be given a warm welcome in Wellington.
Savea left the Hurricanes at the end of the last Super Rugby season, with Moana Pasifika signing the 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year to 2027.
Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Savea, a born and bred Wellingtonian who attended Rongotai College, played multiple seasons for the Hurricanes after debuting in 2013, racking up 131 games for the franchise.
However, he decided to join brother and former Hurricanes and All Blacks wing Julian at Moana Pasifika and the younger Savea has been in outstanding form this year for the Auckland based side, helping them to within a win of their first finals appearance.
They'll have to beat the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night to achieve that feat and the hosts are planning on spoiling their party as they seek to cement themselves in the top four ahead of next week's playoffs.
Instead of animosity being directed towards Savea, the Hurricanes are expecting their former star to be given a special reception in his first game in Wellington since leaving the team.
"You've got a guy who's won the Super Rugby player of season award with two rounds to go. His performances week in, week out have been exceptional," Hurricanes assistant coach Bryn Evans said.
"He's born and bred from Wellington and I'm sure he's going to have a lot of friends and family and plenty of other people there supporting him. He deserves that respect and he deserves that kind of welcome."
Ardie Savea with Moana Pasifika teammates. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Losing a player of Savea's calibre was a massive blow for the Hurricanes but it hasn't stopped them reaching the finals and their loose forward stocks are strong, with the likes of Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose (now injured) in fine form and in serious contention to make the All Blacks.
Evans said Savea's defection definitely left a void, but he believed the Hurricanes have done well to fill that hole.
"Ardie's a man in himself and he's left a a legacy here at the Hurricanes," Evans said.
"I'm sure all those guys that have stepped into that place where he's been want to live up to Ardie. He's a big part of the game, not only in the Hurricanes, not only in Moana, but in New Zealand and we need to show him the respect he's earned and deserves."
The Hurricanes and All Blacks midfielder Billy Proctor played alongside Savea at the Wellington-based franchise and he concedes he never thought his former team-mate would leave the side.
"You wouldn't have thought it a few years ago but it's awesome for him to come back to play in Wellington, his hometown," Proctor said.
"I'm sure the fans will be excited to see him here too."
Proctor is well aware of Savea's abilities and knows the Hurricanes will have to be at their best to beat Moana Pasifika, despite the visitors coming off a heavy loss to the Chiefs.
He said Moana will be as motivated as ever with a maiden Super Rugby playoff appearance on the line.
"If you give them momentum and let their big boys get a bit of a roll on, they're going to be hard to stop," Proctor said.
"We understand that they're going to be pretty desperate. They also might have a bit of edge about them after last week and we know they're going be physical and come down here willing to play and throw everything at us."
