Ex-All Black Savea joins Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika

Former All Blacks winger Julian Savea, the joint record try-scorer in Super Rugby history, will play for Auckland-based franchise Moana Pasifika in the 2024 season, his new team announced Wednesday.

Savea shares the record with Israel Folau for the most Super Rugby tries, touching down 60 times in more than 150 games for his old team, the Hurricanes.

???????? grateful to announce my commitment to @MoanaPasifika_ next season #NewBeginnings https://t.co/fbdYCHp40C

— Julian Savea (@juliansavea7) September 12, 2023

"Savea's pace, strength and ability to finish out wide will be a tremendous asset for Moana Pasifika on the field," said a spokesperson for his new team.

Wellington-born Savea, 33, whose parents are Samoan, will boost a Moana team which includes players from the Pacific islands Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga will coach the franchise in 2024.

Nicknamed "The Bus" for his size and ability to break tackles, Savea has also scored 46 tries in 54 tests for the All Blacks.

The Bus has arrived ??@MoanaPasifika_ secure the services of #SuperRugbyPacific legend Julian Savea ?? pic.twitter.com/2escFV4qjl

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) September 12, 2023

He was part of the New Zealand side that won the 2015 Rugby World Cup, finishing as the tournament's top try-scorer with eight in six games.

He last played for the All Blacks in 2017 and is the elder brother of current New Zealand loose forward Ardie Savea.

The Hurricanes announced earlier this month that Julian Savea was leaving after a total of 11 seasons across two stints, interrupted by a two-year spell with French side Toulon.