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Julian Savea scored 60 tries for the Hurricanes in 152 Super Rugby appearances.
The leading try-scorer in Hurricanes history has played his last game for the franchise.
Former star All Blacks winger Julian Savea wrote an Instagram post that he was reluctantly leaving the Wellington-based outfit, and the franchise confirmed his departure in an email on Saturday.
The 33-year-old scored 60 tries in 152 Super Rugby appearances for the Hurricanes over 11 seasons.
”It’s been an absolute pleasure to represent this club and my home team over the past 11 years and I’m grateful for the brotherhood I formed over the years, the memories I have made, the knowledge I have learnt and milestones I’ve achieved at the Hurricanes,” Savea wrote on Instagram.
“I know the legacy I have created here for myself is something I am very proud of and will cherish for the rest of my life. Not the departure I had planned or hoped for, but that’s rugby for you and sometimes it’s brutal.”
Savea equalled Israel Folau’s record for most Super Rugby tries early this season but missed the end of their campaign through injury and was off-contract for the 2024 season.
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A small crowd of people gathered as the New Zealand team departed for their base camp, escorted by police.
The 33-year-old first played for the Hurricanes in 2010, scoring eight tries in his debut season. After eight season, he joined top French side Toulon, but returned in 2020 for Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Savea made his All Blacks debut in 2012, scoring a hat-trick on debut against Ireland, and scored 46 tries – second on the all-time list behind Doug Howlett (49).
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