Rieko Ioane, once a staple in the All Blacks lineup, finds himself on a different path as he gears up to play in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) for Auckland against Counties Manukau this Saturday. This marks his first NPC appearance in five years, a stark shift for the player who has been a fixture in the national team since his teenage debut in 2017.
Ioane's descent from international rugby isn't just a blip on the radar. After a noticeable dip in form over the past year, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson made the tough call to leave him out of the squad, opting instead for newcomer Leroy Carter in a recent match against the Springboks—a game that saw New Zealand suffer a humiliating 43-10 defeat. This weekend, Ioane will be seen in a different role, lining up at centre rather than his usual position on the wing, owing to teammate Caleb Clarke taking up that spot.
The shift back to provincial rugby could be the restart Ioane needs. With the All Blacks struggling, particularly in the aerial game—a strength of Clarke's—both players will be under scrutiny to prove their worth. Ioane's response to his All Blacks omission was met with a straightforward directive from Robertson:
"There's one-on-one technical stuff that everyone has to grow in their game. We've obviously given him a crack at wing,"
Robertson stated, emphasizing the need for Ioane to enhance certain aspects of his play. "His work ethic, his work off the ball has been incredible but there are a few touches that we need to improve, which he's well aware of." This weekend provides Ioane with the perfect stage to showcase his improvements and claw his way back into national contention.
As Ioane steps onto the field this Saturday, it's more than just a game; it's a chance to redeem himself and silence the critics. With the NPC as his proving ground, the once untouchable All Black has everything to play for.
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Rieko Ioane, once a staple in the All Blacks lineup, finds himself on a different path as he gears up to play in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) for Auckland against Counties Manukau this Saturday. This marks his first NPC appearance in five years, a stark shift for the player who has been a fixture in the national team since his teenage debut in 2017.
Ioane's descent from international rugby isn't just a blip on the radar. After a noticeable dip in form over the past year, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson made the tough call to leave him out of the squad, opting instead for newcomer Leroy Carter in a recent match against the Springboks—a game that saw New Zealand suffer a humiliating 43-10 defeat. This weekend, Ioane will be seen in a different role, lining up at centre rather than his usual position on the wing, owing to teammate Caleb Clarke taking up that spot.
The shift back to provincial rugby could be the restart Ioane needs. With the All Blacks struggling, particularly in the aerial game—a strength of Clarke's—both players will be under scrutiny to prove their worth. Ioane's response to his All Blacks omission was met with a straightforward directive from Robertson:
"There's one-on-one technical stuff that everyone has to grow in their game. We've obviously given him a crack at wing,"
Robertson stated, emphasizing the need for Ioane to enhance certain aspects of his play. "His work ethic, his work off the ball has been incredible but there are a few touches that we need to improve, which he's well aware of." This weekend provides Ioane with the perfect stage to showcase his improvements and claw his way back into national contention.
As Ioane steps onto the field this Saturday, it's more than just a game; it's a chance to redeem himself and silence the critics. With the NPC as his proving ground, the once untouchable All Black has everything to play for.