13 Sep 2023

Moana Pasifika sign World Cup winner Julian Savea

11:48 am on 13 September 2023
Julian Savea of the Hurricanes run with the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes v Waratahs at Sky Stadium, New Zealand on Friday 17  March 2023.
Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa /  www.photosport.nz

Photo: Photosport / Masanori Udagawa

Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pasifika have signed All Blacks World Cup winner Julian Savea for the 2024 season.

Known as 'The Bus' to rugby fans, the 54-test All Black has etched his name into rugby folklore with his explosive running game and ability to break through the toughest of defensive lines.

As a proud son of Samoa - hailing from the villages of Siumu, Luatuanu'u, and Falesiu Uta - Savea's style of play on the wing made him a renowned figure, scoring 46 international tries for the All Blacks.

He was part of the New Zealand team that won the 2015 World Cup in England, scoring the highest number of tries at the tournament, eight.

Savea's last test cap came in 2017 against the British and Irish Lions, making him eligible to switch his international allegiance to the Manu Samoa under the new World Rugby ruling.

He is the latest prospect under new head coach Tana Umaga.

The 33-year-old has scored a Super Rugby record-breaking 60 tries in 153 games, also making him the most capped Hurricane in their 27-year franchise history.

His younger brother Ardie is part of the All Blacks' World Cup 2023 squad in France.