At 29, Rieko Ioane, the seasoned All Black, finds himself under the tutelage of Jacques Nienaber at Leinster, singing praises of the former Springboks coach despite a challenging 2025 season. Moving to Dublin hasn't immediately restored Ioane's peak form, but the star is quick to absolve Nienaber of any blame, attributing much value to his coaching in the Irish setup.
The transition from New Zealand to Ireland brought Ioane not only a change of scenery but also a shift in coaching style. "It’s my first time being coached by a South African and I’ve enjoyed Jacques, although some of the stuff he says I can’t really understand," Ioane admitted to the Irish Times. He continued to express his admiration for Nienaber's approach, particularly in areas that resonate with his own game priorities.
"I’ve loved having him as a coach, and he’s priceless in this environment, his passion for defence, something I pride myself on,"
Ioane elaborated.
Despite the acclaim for Nienaber, Ioane's recent career trajectory has been less than ideal. After an underwhelming performance in 2024, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson shifted him from centre to wing. However, his struggle for form persisted into the 2025 season, leading to his eventual omission from the starting lineup following a match against the Springboks at Eden Park.
Yet, Ioane remained philosophical about his demotion, maintaining a team-first attitude.
"It sucks not playing, but I always kept an open mind. I was confident in my ability to cover wing and I was super confident in my ability to cover midfield,"
he reflected. "That’s just footy. Selection’s not up to you in a way." Instead, Ioane focused on contributing to the team's preparations, ensuring they were in prime condition for each game.
As Ioane continues to adapt to his new environment and challenges at Leinster under Nienaber's guidance, the rugby world watches keenly, hopeful for a resurgence of the dynamic form that once made the All Black a formidable force on the international stage.
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At 29, Rieko Ioane, the seasoned All Black, finds himself under the tutelage of Jacques Nienaber at Leinster, singing praises of the former Springboks coach despite a challenging 2025 season. Moving to Dublin hasn't immediately restored Ioane's peak form, but the star is quick to absolve Nienaber of any blame, attributing much value to his coaching in the Irish setup.
The transition from New Zealand to Ireland brought Ioane not only a change of scenery but also a shift in coaching style. "It’s my first time being coached by a South African and I’ve enjoyed Jacques, although some of the stuff he says I can’t really understand," Ioane admitted to the Irish Times. He continued to express his admiration for Nienaber's approach, particularly in areas that resonate with his own game priorities.
"I’ve loved having him as a coach, and he’s priceless in this environment, his passion for defence, something I pride myself on,"
Ioane elaborated.Despite the acclaim for Nienaber, Ioane's recent career trajectory has been less than ideal. After an underwhelming performance in 2024, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson shifted him from centre to wing. However, his struggle for form persisted into the 2025 season, leading to his eventual omission from the starting lineup following a match against the Springboks at Eden Park.
Yet, Ioane remained philosophical about his demotion, maintaining a team-first attitude.
"It sucks not playing, but I always kept an open mind. I was confident in my ability to cover wing and I was super confident in my ability to cover midfield,"
he reflected. "That’s just footy. Selection’s not up to you in a way." Instead, Ioane focused on contributing to the team's preparations, ensuring they were in prime condition for each game.As Ioane continues to adapt to his new environment and challenges at Leinster under Nienaber's guidance, the rugby world watches keenly, hopeful for a resurgence of the dynamic form that once made the All Black a formidable force on the international stage.