Fronting a Pacific media-only press conference at Moana Pasifika HQ, Ardie Suemalo Savea says he is ready to serve his culture and family when he puts on the Moana Pasifika jersey.
In 2019 a few months before the Rugby World Cup, Ardie Suemalo Savea travelled to Samoa for the very first time to visit his family, especially his grandfather Li’o Toelei’u Saveatama in Siumu.
Speaking to Samoa Observer in 2019, Ardie said that the trip to Samoa was an eye opening experience for him into the world his father and his grandfather grew up in.
“I’m at a part of my life where I want to experience that, and get to know a bit more of my background and my family heritage.
“Just to be around them, and around their presence is really fulfilling, it’s good.”
Five years later in front of a small group of reporters at a Pacific-only media conference, Ardie reminisces about his grandfather, only this time as a newly signed player for Moana Pasifika.
“I think about my grandparents in Samoa and their sacrifices, for us to live a better life,” he says.
“I represented the Hurricanes and the All Blacks and I am really honoured for that but I feel like, in my heart, it’s time to give back and challenge myself and the team to go to places we haven’t been to before.”
The World Rugby Player of the Year announced the move last weekend on a social media post, after a successful All Blacks win over Fiji in San Diego.
Touching down in Auckland on Monday morning, the 30 year old stated to the Pacific media present that he is ready to serve for his family and culture.
“It’s been a decision that’s been pondering not only in my mind but also my family’s mind for a while. And with the help and guidance of God and wise people around me, the decision became clear.
“My heart has always been on the thought that I should come not when my career is finishing but come when I still can offer a lot. Even though I can’t represent Samoa but I feel like Moana is my ‘Samoa’ and I am going to give it everything.”
Sitting next to Ardie at the press conference was La’auli Sir Michael Jones who is no stranger himself to pioneering and trailblazing moments in Pacific rugby in New Zealand.
La’auli not only was an exceptional athlete on the field, he was also known for not playing on Sundays as his way of honouring his cultural and religious beliefs.
Now being able to witness Ardie Savea make a similar move in terms of honouring his Samoan and pacific culture, La’auli could only smile and praise him for his decision.
“We know who he is and what he brings to this team. His values and beliefs align with us as a club, we were dreamed and developed by Pasifika and now we can say that we Pasifika are also delivering it,” La’auli says.
Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga echoed those thoughts but also emphasised how important Ardie will be in the squad over the next three years.
Describing Ardie’s presence as part of the “Jason Taumalolo” effect, Fa’alogo says there’s been renewed interest in the club from the wider rugby community.
“We’ve had players, agents ring us that we’ve inquired about before but, weren’t interested in coming but now we’re getting some that are coming back to us now and that’s all part of what we have in front of us (motions to Ardie).
“It’s the interest in our movement that Laauli and Sir Beegee started before for us when Moana first started; a concept of bringing a Pacific Islands team specifically for us, together that’s Pasifika all the way from the front to the back, and there’s nowhere else like that.”
