December 12, 2025 • 11 mins
All Blacks winger Sevu Reece is off to France at the end of the next season.
The 28-year-old has signed on for three years with French club Perpignan, leaving the Crusaders after eight seasons with the side.
Reece has played 37 tests for New Zealand and is Super Rugby’s all-time leading try scorer with 66 tries.
He told Piney it makes him so proud and happy knowing that he’s given everything to all of the teams he’s been a part of.
“Hopefully I’ve made some of the fans proud.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We'll depart New Zealand Rugby after the twenty twenty six
Super Rugby season.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
They go again, the Crusaders. Sevu Rees thinks he's got
to try a potentially historic moment here in the context
of Super Rugby. They're gonna go up Skirs. The TMO
is gonna be required.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
He's unpossessed in the ball touch of the line, so
we'll be a try.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
There. It is.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Sivu Rees. They're on their feet. They're aware of the history.
Sevu Reese is sixty six, but try in Super Rugby
and now outright undisputed alone at the top of the
Super Rugby standings for tries scored, and there's competition.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Super Rugby's all time leading tri scorer, sever Reese fell
out of favor for the All Blacks this season before
returning with two tries in the final Test of the
year against Wales. He has so with French club Pepignon
and All sever Reese played thirty seven Test matches for
the All Blacks, scoring twenty tries. He was first choice
on the wing at the twenty nineteen Rugby World Cup. Now,
(01:17):
sever Reese is contracted for all of next year with
New Zealand Rugby, but it is highly unlikely he'll play
for the All Blacks again. There is a caveat as
well to signing. Reports suggests that Pepergnon must retain their
spot in the top fourteen next season if the deal
is to go through. They're currently last, which would see
them dropped into the second Division. Let's see, let's hope
(01:39):
that they can retain their place and Severa Reese's three
year deal can go ahead. Severa Reese is with us
on Weekend Sport. Congratulations on the next chapter in your
rugby career, Seve. How did this all come about?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Yeah, honestly, it's yeah, it was probably one of the
toughest decisions I've had to make so far in Yeah,
and this was one of them, and to live New
Zealand and go Farands. But you know, so much thought
has been put into it, and we just think that
the timing is right and but yeah, we'll definitely miss
(02:17):
New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Were there times during the decision making process, ever, when
you were leaning towards staying in New Zealand?
Speaker 4 (02:26):
One hundred percent. You know, we look ahead, We've got
the World Cup, and you know, I feel like, you know,
I can stay here and try to have another crack
at going to the World Cup. And they had all
these things in my head and you know, like it's
like I said, it was. It was so tough and
I just had to you know, like so much going
(02:48):
back and forth, back and forth conversations with people that
I needed to have, and yeah, just really came down to,
you know, what me and my family were happy with,
and yeah, this is what we're happy with.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
So now that you've made the decision, as you say,
it was, you know, a tricky decision making process. Now
that you've and on this call, do you feel at
peace with it, now that you've actually made the decision
to leave.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Yeah, one hundred percent. You know, like what wasn't until
like I said, I woke up this morning because the
club in France they announced it. Obviously, well we're all
still sleeping, so we Yeah, I wouldn't work up this
morning and just seeing you know, like all the messes
from people, and you know, that's when everything sort of
(03:33):
just sunk and and just felt real and you know,
just started to get super emotional just thinking of you
leaving New Zealand. But you know that's this life and
you know they say life goes on, so.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Yeah, indeed it does and you might be going just
yet because there's a super rugby season to be had
with the Crusaders. How important was it for you to
have one more season, to have twenty twenty six with
the Crusaders before you left.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Yeah, yeah, it was very important and I have had
that in my head this whole time that you know,
I've I've got one more shot at you know, you've
got the new stadium in christ It's you know, I
want to be part of the first Crusaders team to
play in that. And also I've got one hundred games
(04:22):
as well coming up for the Crusaders, So you know,
I've got a few more boxes to tick and you know,
I'll see that one hundred games will be be the
icing and the cake for me.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, some cool milestones to look forward to in terms
of your All Black's career. For now, anyway, it'll be
off to one side. Who knows what the future holds,
but for now, your time in the Black Jersey has
come to an end. Have you had the chance to
reflect on on what a special time it was for
you representing the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Oh, one hundred percent. You know, like every kid's dream
here has to be an All Black and you know,
I was very blessed and lucky enough to make that
come true for me and my family. And you know,
Area just thinks to all the coaches this, you know
past in prison that gave me the opportunity to represent
(05:12):
New Zealand. And you know, I see it. I know
everyone wants to be an All Black and you know,
being in the environment every day, as you know, you
don't take it lightly. And you know, like I said that,
you know, I've achieved my dream that I've I've always
wanted to do and you know, but unfortunately for now,
I'll have to push it to the side. And yeah,
(05:35):
obviously you know, focus on Super Rugby now and obviously
what comes after that.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah, well, if your last test or the last test
you played is to be your last game for the
All Blacks that went against Wales at Cardiff, You've got
those tries that you're scored, including the ankle breaker in
the corner. Not a bad way to go out.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Oh yeah, well, no, that was cool. Like I said,
you know I've give him opportunity in that last game,
and you know I made sure to make the most
of it and yeah, minister to try and it is
a pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
It was very cool. So when you think of the
young Sevo Race who grew up in Fiji loving the
game of rugby, and you look back, now, how much
pride do you feel about what you've achieved for the
various teams you have represented?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
No. One hundred. You know, like I said, you know,
I just you know, I was I was a little
kid from Fiji. You know, I was born in Fiji.
You know, grew up in Fiji and moved over to
New Zealand for for better life and hoping that one
day I'll be able to support my family. And you know,
(06:43):
today I can. I can happily say that, you know,
I've ticked all those boxes and you know, all the teams,
all the teams that I was a part of, and
in the friendships and relationships that I've I've built over
the last five many years and in up until today.
You know, I get to sit back and yeah, you know,
(07:03):
just look back and just yeah, just makes me so proud,
just happy and knowing that I've given everything to all
the teams that I've been a part of, and you know,
and hope hopefully I've made made some of the fans
proud and you know, just yeah, you know, it just
so brings me so much story and just happiness just
(07:24):
thinking about, Yeah, my career so far here and is
in it and.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
The other thing we've loved watching you be for anything
you play for as a hype man, something we've come
to expect from Seva Roos when you're forward to affect
a turnover or something similarly, you're the first one in
there with the with the chart hoo's and the pats
on the back. Is that something that you have intentionally
wanted to bring to the teams that you've been a
part of.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Yeah, or one hundred percent, you know, like if you
you know, if you look at the rugby that's been
played today and you know that the modern rugby, you know,
almost all all teams are all teams. You can say
all teams are the same. You know, we almost trained
the same amount of hours and everything. You know, thinking
it comes down to just just little things of like
(08:09):
you know, how high you can obviously get it and
get into other other teams' heads and just little things,
you know. But but at the same time, it's you know,
we do it to celebrate the little wins that we
had and it could have been from a scrum our
big boys could have had a really good scrum more
or you know, just we want a penalty or just
(08:31):
something like that, just you know, getting in there and
just showing those big boys how much we issually appreciate
what they've just done.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Love it, Love it. Well, you've signed for three years
on this deal in France. Have you thought beyond that
about what the future might hold? Can you see yourself,
for example, coming back to New Zealand at some.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Point I've been yeah, I'll just ask it just before,
you know, because i'm you know, on Fijian and you
know three years time I'll be eligible for for Fuji
as well. So be It's like I said, you know,
there's lots there for me, be all to see. When
(09:13):
we leave New Zealand, there'll be no looking back for sure,
and you know we're going to go there with the
mindset of just going there to play some good rugby,
you know, enjoy create some some more amazing memories of
my little family and you know whatever, whatever happens in
the future, happens whether it's a Fiji jersey or on
(09:34):
New Zealand jersey again, then yeah, we'll just wait and see.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Yeah, well, look forward to seeing how that plays out
while we get to watch you for one more Super
Rugby season with the Crusaders. Sever congratulations on a terrific
All Black's career. Thank you for all the joy you've
brought to so many people during your time in the
Black Jersey. All the best for the Super Rugby season ahead,
and thanks for chatting to us today.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Thank you so much, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Thanks, no, thank you, sir. So yeah, he's not leaving yet.
Annoyingly for the rest of us, he'll probably part of
a part of a Crusader side that will win another
Super Rugby title. But for now, as far as the
All Blacks are concerned, that is it, and you would
have to think that is it. I just simply can't
see a set of circumstances under which sever Ruce would
(10:16):
play for the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
Again.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
He's twenty nine now, sob be thirty two when he
comes back, if he does come back. And look, you know,
I think we've kind of learned that wingers. You know,
they certainly are the hot hand when it comes to selection,
and that's exactly what Seva Reese was in twenty nineteen.
He and George Bridge came into those wingspots having had
(10:37):
very little test rugby going into the World Cup in
twenty nineteen and were first choice across that tournament. And
I think the same thing's going to happen at the
next Rugby World Cup. I honestly think there may be
a situation, a scenario under which the starting winger or
wingers plural for us at the next Rugby World Cup
(11:00):
in twenty twenty seven are players we haven't yet seen
debut because it is it's the wing above all other
positions in rugby, and particularly in the All Blacks at
a World Cup. Time is a form thing. It is
the hot hand, as Elliott Smith, our rugby editor and
match commentator, calls it. A guy like Caleb Tungataw might
(11:24):
be a great example. I mean, Lee Roy Carter came
in this year having you know, really, I mean, I'm
not sure that many people a year ago were picking
Lee Roy Carter to play as often for the All
Blacks as he did this year. So who knows who
it's going to be in a couple of years.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Time For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen
live to news Talk Said Be weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We'll depart New Zealand Rugby after the twenty twenty six
Super Rugby season.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
They go again, the Crusaders. Sevu Rees thinks he's got
to try a potentially historic moment here in the context
of Super Rugby. They're gonna go up Skirs. The TMO
is gonna be required.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
He's unpossessed in the ball touch of the line, so
we'll be a try.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
There. It is.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Sivu Rees. They're on their feet. They're aware of the history.
Sevu Reese is sixty six, but try in Super Rugby
and now outright undisputed alone at the top of the
Super Rugby standings for tries scored, and there's competition.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Super Rugby's all time leading tri scorer, sever Reese fell
out of favor for the All Blacks this season before
returning with two tries in the final Test of the
year against Wales. He has so with French club Pepignon
and All sever Reese played thirty seven Test matches for
the All Blacks, scoring twenty tries. He was first choice
on the wing at the twenty nineteen Rugby World Cup. Now,
(01:17):
sever Reese is contracted for all of next year with
New Zealand Rugby, but it is highly unlikely he'll play
for the All Blacks again. There is a caveat as
well to signing. Reports suggests that Pepergnon must retain their
spot in the top fourteen next season if the deal
is to go through. They're currently last, which would see
them dropped into the second Division. Let's see, let's hope
(01:39):
that they can retain their place and Severa Reese's three
year deal can go ahead. Severa Reese is with us
on Weekend Sport. Congratulations on the next chapter in your
rugby career, Seve. How did this all come about?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Yeah, honestly, it's yeah, it was probably one of the
toughest decisions I've had to make so far in Yeah,
and this was one of them, and to live New
Zealand and go Farands. But you know, so much thought
has been put into it, and we just think that
the timing is right and but yeah, we'll definitely miss
(02:17):
New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Were there times during the decision making process, ever, when
you were leaning towards staying in New Zealand?
Speaker 4 (02:26):
One hundred percent. You know, we look ahead, We've got
the World Cup, and you know, I feel like, you know,
I can stay here and try to have another crack
at going to the World Cup. And they had all
these things in my head and you know, like it's
like I said, it was. It was so tough and
I just had to you know, like so much going
(02:48):
back and forth, back and forth conversations with people that
I needed to have, and yeah, just really came down to,
you know, what me and my family were happy with,
and yeah, this is what we're happy with.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
So now that you've made the decision, as you say,
it was, you know, a tricky decision making process. Now
that you've and on this call, do you feel at
peace with it, now that you've actually made the decision
to leave.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
Yeah, one hundred percent. You know, like what wasn't until
like I said, I woke up this morning because the
club in France they announced it. Obviously, well we're all
still sleeping, so we Yeah, I wouldn't work up this
morning and just seeing you know, like all the messes
from people, and you know, that's when everything sort of
(03:33):
just sunk and and just felt real and you know,
just started to get super emotional just thinking of you
leaving New Zealand. But you know that's this life and
you know they say life goes on, so.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Yeah, indeed it does and you might be going just
yet because there's a super rugby season to be had
with the Crusaders. How important was it for you to
have one more season, to have twenty twenty six with
the Crusaders before you left.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Yeah, yeah, it was very important and I have had
that in my head this whole time that you know,
I've I've got one more shot at you know, you've
got the new stadium in christ It's you know, I
want to be part of the first Crusaders team to
play in that. And also I've got one hundred games
(04:22):
as well coming up for the Crusaders, So you know,
I've got a few more boxes to tick and you know,
I'll see that one hundred games will be be the
icing and the cake for me.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, some cool milestones to look forward to in terms
of your All Black's career. For now, anyway, it'll be
off to one side. Who knows what the future holds,
but for now, your time in the Black Jersey has
come to an end. Have you had the chance to
reflect on on what a special time it was for
you representing the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Oh, one hundred percent. You know, like every kid's dream
here has to be an All Black and you know,
I was very blessed and lucky enough to make that
come true for me and my family. And you know,
Area just thinks to all the coaches this, you know
past in prison that gave me the opportunity to represent
(05:12):
New Zealand. And you know, I see it. I know
everyone wants to be an All Black and you know,
being in the environment every day, as you know, you
don't take it lightly. And you know, like I said that,
you know, I've achieved my dream that I've I've always
wanted to do and you know, but unfortunately for now,
I'll have to push it to the side. And yeah,
(05:35):
obviously you know, focus on Super Rugby now and obviously
what comes after that.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah, well, if your last test or the last test
you played is to be your last game for the
All Blacks that went against Wales at Cardiff, You've got
those tries that you're scored, including the ankle breaker in
the corner. Not a bad way to go out.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Oh yeah, well, no, that was cool. Like I said,
you know I've give him opportunity in that last game,
and you know I made sure to make the most
of it and yeah, minister to try and it is
a pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
It was very cool. So when you think of the
young Sevo Race who grew up in Fiji loving the
game of rugby, and you look back, now, how much
pride do you feel about what you've achieved for the
various teams you have represented?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
No. One hundred. You know, like I said, you know,
I just you know, I was I was a little
kid from Fiji. You know, I was born in Fiji.
You know, grew up in Fiji and moved over to
New Zealand for for better life and hoping that one
day I'll be able to support my family. And you know,
(06:43):
today I can. I can happily say that, you know,
I've ticked all those boxes and you know, all the teams,
all the teams that I was a part of, and
in the friendships and relationships that I've I've built over
the last five many years and in up until today.
You know, I get to sit back and yeah, you know,
(07:03):
just look back and just yeah, just makes me so proud,
just happy and knowing that I've given everything to all
the teams that I've been a part of, and you know,
and hope hopefully I've made made some of the fans
proud and you know, just yeah, you know, it just
so brings me so much story and just happiness just
(07:24):
thinking about, Yeah, my career so far here and is
in it and.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
The other thing we've loved watching you be for anything
you play for as a hype man, something we've come
to expect from Seva Roos when you're forward to affect
a turnover or something similarly, you're the first one in
there with the with the chart hoo's and the pats
on the back. Is that something that you have intentionally
wanted to bring to the teams that you've been a
part of.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Yeah, or one hundred percent, you know, like if you
you know, if you look at the rugby that's been
played today and you know that the modern rugby, you know,
almost all all teams are all teams. You can say
all teams are the same. You know, we almost trained
the same amount of hours and everything. You know, thinking
it comes down to just just little things of like
(08:09):
you know, how high you can obviously get it and
get into other other teams' heads and just little things,
you know. But but at the same time, it's you know,
we do it to celebrate the little wins that we
had and it could have been from a scrum our
big boys could have had a really good scrum more
or you know, just we want a penalty or just
(08:31):
something like that, just you know, getting in there and
just showing those big boys how much we issually appreciate
what they've just done.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Love it, Love it. Well, you've signed for three years
on this deal in France. Have you thought beyond that
about what the future might hold? Can you see yourself,
for example, coming back to New Zealand at some.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Point I've been yeah, I'll just ask it just before,
you know, because i'm you know, on Fijian and you
know three years time I'll be eligible for for Fuji
as well. So be It's like I said, you know,
there's lots there for me, be all to see. When
(09:13):
we leave New Zealand, there'll be no looking back for sure,
and you know we're going to go there with the
mindset of just going there to play some good rugby,
you know, enjoy create some some more amazing memories of
my little family and you know whatever, whatever happens in
the future, happens whether it's a Fiji jersey or on
(09:34):
New Zealand jersey again, then yeah, we'll just wait and see.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Yeah, well, look forward to seeing how that plays out
while we get to watch you for one more Super
Rugby season with the Crusaders. Sever congratulations on a terrific
All Black's career. Thank you for all the joy you've
brought to so many people during your time in the
Black Jersey. All the best for the Super Rugby season ahead,
and thanks for chatting to us today.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Thank you so much, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Thanks, no, thank you, sir. So yeah, he's not leaving yet.
Annoyingly for the rest of us, he'll probably part of
a part of a Crusader side that will win another
Super Rugby title. But for now, as far as the
All Blacks are concerned, that is it, and you would
have to think that is it. I just simply can't
see a set of circumstances under which sever Ruce would
(10:16):
play for the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
Again.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
He's twenty nine now, sob be thirty two when he
comes back, if he does come back. And look, you know,
I think we've kind of learned that wingers. You know,
they certainly are the hot hand when it comes to selection,
and that's exactly what Seva Reese was in twenty nineteen.
He and George Bridge came into those wingspots having had
(10:37):
very little test rugby going into the World Cup in
twenty nineteen and were first choice across that tournament. And
I think the same thing's going to happen at the
next Rugby World Cup. I honestly think there may be
a situation, a scenario under which the starting winger or
wingers plural for us at the next Rugby World Cup
(11:00):
in twenty twenty seven are players we haven't yet seen
debut because it is it's the wing above all other
positions in rugby, and particularly in the All Blacks at
a World Cup. Time is a form thing. It is
the hot hand, as Elliott Smith, our rugby editor and
match commentator, calls it. A guy like Caleb Tungataw might
(11:24):
be a great example. I mean, Lee Roy Carter came
in this year having you know, really, I mean, I'm
not sure that many people a year ago were picking
Lee Roy Carter to play as often for the All
Blacks as he did this year. So who knows who
it's going to be in a couple of years.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Time For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen
live to news Talk Said Be weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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