Rieko Ioane might just be on the verge of his All Blacks comeback, but not just yet. The fleet-footed back, capable of playing both at centre and on the wing, finds himself on the fringes despite his wealth of experience. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, known affectionately as Razor, has laid out what Ioane needs to do to reclaim his spot after being conspicuously absent from the lineup against the Wallabies.
Having kicked off the Rugby Championship with appearances in the first three matches, Ioane was dropped for the game against the Springboks and relegated to the National Provincial Championship (NPC) to find his form. However, his performance there was uninspiring, failing to shine in his first provincial game in five years. Consequently, he was overlooked once again for the upcoming clash with Australia, with Caleb Clarke snatching the vacant wing spot and Billy Proctor retaining his position at centre.
Ioane, at 28 years old, boasts 86 caps, making him one of the most seasoned players in the current squad. Despite this, his performance has dipped significantly in the Robertson era, with a mere two tries in 17 Test appearances, a stark contrast to the five tries in his previous 17 Tests. Robertson remains hopeful, however, stating,
"(He needs to) play well when he gets an opportunity, and play well when he gets playing rugby. We’ll keep the individual skill stuff in-house, but he’s played 80-odd Tests. He’s not far away."
While Ioane’s absence is felt, it has opened doors for others. Clarke, wearing the iconic number 11 jersey, and Leroy Carter, who has shifted to 14, have both been praised by Razor for their versatility and skill. "He’s got a great skillset, doesn’t he?" Razor remarked about Clarke. "Aerially, he’s got a left-foot kick and is a great power winger."
The reshuffling in the All Blacks lineup continues as the team seeks redemption following a defeat to the Springboks, with Ardie Savea stepping up as the new captain. As for Ioane, the path back to the black jersey is clear, but the journey is entirely in his hands.
All Blacks team: Ardie Savea (captain), Caleb Clarke, Billy Proctor, Leroy Carter.