Moana Pasifika announce signing of former All Black Julian Savea

Moana Pasifika have announced the signing of former All Blacks international Julian Savea ahead of the 2024 season.

The 33-year-old made his professional rugby debut with Wellington in 2010 and made his Super Rugby debut with Hurricanes in 2011. Savea, who is the equal record try-scorer in Super Rugby has made 153 appearances for the club across two stints.

The former All Blacks winger also had a stint with Toulon between 2018 and 2020 and is New Zealand's second highest try-scorer having crossed over for them 46 times in 54 matches.

It was reported that his contract with Hurricanes was not renewed which forced him to join Moana Pasifika on a one-year contract.

"Not the departure I had planned or hoped for, but that's rugby for you and sometimes it's brutal," he wrote on his social media account.

Meanwhile, Tana Umaga, who will take over from Aaron Mauger is confident that Savea's experience will benefit the club.

"With one of the most recognisable names in rugby, his injection into the Moana Pasifika community space will be inspirational to Pasifika rugby hopefuls in New Zealand and across the Pacific," the team said of Savea in a statement.