Ardie Savea rejects European interest to re-sign with NZRU
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All Blacks and Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea has turned down offers from European clubs including the likes of Top 14 side Pau to sign a new deal with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby Union.
His new deal will see he remain in the Land of the Long White cloud at least the end of the 2021 season.
Savea, 25, said he was truly blessed to have signed with New Zealand Rugby for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. While it was a tough decision to turn down overseas offers, Savea said the chance to continue to play for Wellington, the Hurricanes and All Blacks was an opportunity he could not turn down.
"Thank you to the fans for the on going support. Can't wait to get stuck in to 2019 with my Canes brothers,"
Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree was naturally delighted with Savea's decision.
"While Ardie is only 25 he has played a lot of Super Rugby and is a natural leader within our squad and in our club," he said.
"We've all seen the great form he has been in, especially near the end of the international season, and the discussions I've had with Ardie since he has been back have made it clear he wants to maintain that with the Hurricanes."
Savea made his Hurricanes debut in 2013 after impressing with Wellington in the National Provincial Championship a year earlier. Since then he has gone on to play 75 Super Rugby games, scoring an impressive 17 tries.
He has also played 35 tests for the All Blacks since making his debut against Wales in 2016.
🎙️“We’re delighted that Ardie has re-signed for two more years. He’s an outstanding player who had a huge workload for the @AllBlacks in 2018. We look forward to seeing him in action again in 2019 and beyond.” - Steve Hansen on @ardiesavea resigning untill 2021. pic.twitter.com/PQEQ1PLhzb
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) December 19, 2018
