“I feel like I’ve got so much to give and a philosophy that I would love to try, to express through a team that I have control of, but also making sure that we don’t lose the core values of the club.”
The club is based in Warkworth, north of Auckland, and finished eighth this year with two wins.
Savea landed the role through his connection with former Moana Pasifika team manager Peter White.
White, whose grandchildren play for Mahurangi, recently moved to the area and knew the All Blacks legend was eager to begin the next chapter of his rugby career.
Savea then met club chairman Patrick Sullivan, and it didn’t take long for an agreement to be reached.
White said Savea has all the skills to excel as a coach.
“He has a clarity in the way he thinks and expresses the game to the leadership group,” White said.
“He was very important to our coaching staff, helping analyse our plays and structures and the opposition’s as well.”
Savea played more than 170 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika, scoring 64 tries.
During his time with the All Blacks between 2012 and 2017, he scored 45 tries in 54 tests and was part of the 2015 World Cup winning side.
Meanwhile, his younger brother and current All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will miss the opening three matches of their tour of South Africa, which starts next weekend.
He won’t play against the Stormers, Sharks or Bulls, but coach Dave Rennie said Savea will be ready to play the first test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 23.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
