Moana Pasifika 2026
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@SBW1 said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
@Landers92 While not on an NZRU contract does that make him All Black eligible? MP is afterall fielding Ardie.
Believe he is eligible because he's already played for the All Blacks.
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@hikastags said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
Does anyone know if Ardie will be playing for MP next year?
A mate of mine who currently plays in Japan seems to think he's heading back there
He has a sabbatical option in his contract for next year so would be strange to not exercise it. Nothing publicly announced yet though - maybe after this year's momentum he'll want to stick around for another season and use his sabbatical in 2027.
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@Mr-Fish said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
@hikastags said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
Does anyone know if Ardie will be playing for MP next year?
A mate of mine who currently plays in Japan seems to think he's heading back there
He has a sabbatical option in his contract for next year so would be strange to not exercise it. Nothing publicly announced yet though - maybe after this year's momentum he'll want to stick around for another season and use his sabbatical in 2027.
It’s my understanding NZR doesn’t allow ‘sabbaticals’ in RWC years.
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@zedsdeadbaby said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
@hikastags said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
Does anyone know if Ardie will be playing for MP next year?
A mate of mine who currently plays in Japan seems to think he's heading back there
He has a sabbatical option in his contract for next year so would be strange to not exercise it. Nothing publicly announced yet though - maybe after this year's momentum he'll want to stick around for another season and use his sabbatical in 2027.
It’s my understanding NZR doesn’t allow ‘sabbaticals’ in RWC years.
Yeah thought it would be strange to not have players playing at home in a WC year.
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@zedsdeadbaby said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
@hikastags said in Moana Pasifika 2026:
Does anyone know if Ardie will be playing for MP next year?
A mate of mine who currently plays in Japan seems to think he's heading back there
He has a sabbatical option in his contract for next year so would be strange to not exercise it. Nothing publicly announced yet though - maybe after this year's momentum he'll want to stick around for another season and use his sabbatical in 2027.
It’s my understanding NZR doesn’t allow ‘sabbaticals’ in RWC years.
Would certainly make sense.
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It's official.
The article also says that 30 of the 38-man squad are locked in.
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@Bovidae i can confirm Allen Craig has re signed for another 2 x years with MP
I also know Mp were in discussions with Rebel And Tahs lock/6 Angelo Smith who was unfortunately injured preseason and did not feature
Smith who is Fijian stands at 1.99m 115kgs is some athlete
Unreal impact player especially off the bench with ball in hand excellent on his own and opposition ball
Only issue could be a securing a visa -
Good to see many of the super teams embracing social media better
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This can be shifted across to the exodus thread if need be.
There has been a bit of speculation around Ardie Savea taking his sabbatical in 2026 or not.
I have been told he will be taking that sabbatical and heading back to Japan for the 2026 season so will not be available for Moana. This is coming from the same source who provided the Laumape information a week or so before it was announced.
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@Bovidae that was my question. The only response I got was a ‘🤔’
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@Steven-Harris Have heard that Drua also have Angelo Smith as one of their signing targets for next season too
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Apparently Richie Mo was seen at North Harbour stadium today (Moana Pasifika head office).
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Ngani Laumape signs with Moana Pasifika – Moana Pasifika
