Latest news with #Ioane
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Rieko Ioane scratched from third test with hamstring issue
For the second week in succession, the All Blacks have been dealt an injury blow on the wing, with Rieko Ioane ruled out of Saturday's third and final test against France. Initially named to wear the No 11 jersey, 28-year-old Ioane has been scratched from the starting side to take
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
All Black wing Rieko Ioane warns ‘dangerous' France are no B-team
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox New Zealand's Rieko Ioane has warned his team not to underestimate a weakened France side. DUNEDIN – All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane said on July 3 he expects French players to have a chip on their shoulder after being dubbed a B-team ahead of the three match series against New Zealand. France sent a squad with 20 uncapped players to New Zealand for the three-Test series which begins on July 5 in Dunedin. But Ioane, who has been moved to the wing by head coach Scott Robertson for the first time in four years, said he was not viewing France as a B-team. 'If I was that team travelling over here, I would have that chip on my shoulder, you know,' he said. 'Everyone's calling them a B-team, but they aren't. The energy they bring and the intensity that they train at will be at a level that some of their players that are at home would bring during a Test week. 'So if anything, they're more of a dangerous beast than we're going to be used to, and we've got to expect everything.' Former All Blacks have been vocal in their criticism of the weakened French squad. Ex-scrum-half Justin Marshall told Sky Sport that the squad was 'total BS' and France were sending only a development team. New Zealand media have highlighted that 11 of the 20 new caps do not have Wikipedia pages. 'I know there's been a lot of talk about it, but I'm not sure that the players would feel that way,' Ioane added. 'We know that there's going to be a huge challenge no matter who is out there.' Ioane also said the All Blacks were focused on their own game, and would not be distracted by who they play against. He said he has had enough to think about playing on the wing for the All Blacks for the first time since 2021. 'Yeah, look, it's been getting the rust off the first couple of days,' Ioane admitted. 'Was pretty good that we had that camp up in Auckland. I'm going to be comfortable by the time game day rolls around. My connection with Billy (Proctor), Will (Jordan), Sevu (Reece), everyone around me is growing.' At the end of the year, Ioane will move abroad for a six-month sabbatical with Irish side Leinster. It comes after Jordie Barrett completed a sabbatical at the club, praising the physicality of the game in the northern hemisphere. Ioane famously shushed Irish fans after New Zealand's quarter-final victory at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He also ended up in a war of words with Ireland's Johnny Sexton. AFP
France 24
03-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
All Black wing Ioane warns 'dangerous' France are no B-team
France sent a squad with 20 uncapped players to New Zealand for the three-Test series which begins on Saturday in Dunedin. New Zealand named four uncapped players in their matchday 23 Thursday, including Dutch-born lock Fabian Holland and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie in the starting line-up. Ioane, who has been moved to the wing by head coach Scott Robertson for the first time in four years, said he was not viewing France as a B-team. "If I was that team travelling over here, I would have that chip on my shoulder, you know," Ioane told AFP. "Everyone's calling them a B-team, but they aren't. "The energy they bring and the intensity that they train at will be at a level that some of their players that are at home would bring during a Test week. "So if anything, they're more of a dangerous beast than we're going to be used to, and we've got to expect everything." Former All Blacks have been vocal in their criticism of the weakened French squad. Former scrum-half Justin Marshall told Sky Sport that the squad was "total BS" and France were sending only a development team. New Zealand media have highlighted that 11 of the 20 new caps do not have Wikipedia pages. "I know there's been a lot of talk about it, but I'm not sure that the players would feel that way," Ioane said. "We know that there's going to be a huge challenge no matter who is out there." Ioane said the All Blacks were focused on their own game, and would not be distracted by who they play against. He said he has had enough to think about playing on the wing for the All Blacks for the first time since 2021. "Yeah, look, it's been getting the rust off the first couple of days," Ioane admitted. "Was pretty good that we had that camp up in Auckland. I'm going to be comfortable by the time game day rolls around. "My connection with Billy (Proctor), Will (Jordan), Sevu (Reece), everyone around me is growing." At the end of the year, Ioane will move abroad for a six-month sabbatical with Irish side Leinster. It comes after Jordie Barrett completed a sabbatical at the club, praising the physicality of the game in the northern hemisphere. Ioane famously shushed Irish fans after New Zealand's quarter-final victory at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He also ended up in a war of words with Ireland's Johnny Sexton. "There's a multitude of reasons for what I do," Ioane said of the move. "The most important is it's going to be a fresh experience."
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
All Black wing Ioane warns 'dangerous' France are no B-team
All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane said Thursday he expects French players to have a chip on their shoulder after being dubbed a B-team ahead of the three match series against New Zealand. All Black wing Ioane warns 'dangerous' France are no B-team France sent a squad with 20 uncapped players to New Zealand for the three-Test series which begins on Saturday in Dunedin. New Zealand named four uncapped players in their matchday 23 Thursday, including Dutch-born lock Fabian Holland and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie in the starting line-up. Ioane, who has been moved to the wing by head coach Scott Robertson for the first time in four years, said he was not viewing France as a B-team. "If I was that team travelling over here, I would have that chip on my shoulder, you know," Ioane told AFP. "Everyone's calling them a B-team, but they aren't. "The energy they bring and the intensity that they train at will be at a level that some of their players that are at home would bring during a Test week. "So if anything, they're more of a dangerous beast than we're going to be used to, and we've got to expect everything." Former All Blacks have been vocal in their criticism of the weakened French squad. Former scrum-half Justin Marshall told Sky Sport that the squad was "total BS" and France were sending only a development team. New Zealand media have highlighted that 11 of the 20 new caps do not have Wikipedia pages. "I know there's been a lot of talk about it, but I'm not sure that the players would feel that way," Ioane said. "We know that there's going to be a huge challenge no matter who is out there." Ioane said the All Blacks were focused on their own game, and would not be distracted by who they play against. He said he has had enough to think about playing on the wing for the All Blacks for the first time since 2021. "Yeah, look, it's been getting the rust off the first couple of days," Ioane admitted. "Was pretty good that we had that camp up in Auckland. I'm going to be comfortable by the time game day rolls around. "My connection with Billy , Will , Sevu , everyone around me is growing." At the end of the year, Ioane will move abroad for a six-month sabbatical with Irish side Leinster. It comes after Jordie Barrett completed a sabbatical at the club, praising the physicality of the game in the northern hemisphere. Ioane famously shushed Irish fans after New Zealand's quarter-final victory at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He also ended up in a war of words with Ireland's Johnny Sexton. "There's a multitude of reasons for what I do," Ioane said of the move. "The most important is it's going to be a fresh experience." bes/sft/dh This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
1News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Why Razor may need Rieko to make his All Blacks numbers add up
Analysis: In naming only four outside backs in his squad, Scott Robertson may need Rieko Ioane to play on the left wing against France, writes Patrick McKendry. Even before he named six midfielders and only four outside backs in his squad of 33 players for next month's Tests against France, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson stressed the need for his men to be versatile and capable of playing more than one position. And more than anyone, this may apply to Rieko Ioane, the incumbent centre and former left wing, who — like it or not — may find himself back in the No.11 jersey at some point over the three Tests or at least moving from the midfield to the left in Dunedin, Wellington or Hamilton to accommodate a replacement. Caleb Clarke is the only specialist left wing in the squad, with Sevu Reece the only right wing apart from fullback Will Jordan, who of course began his career there but is far more effective at the back these days. Fullback Ruben Love, who will also cover first-five, is the only other outside back named in the squad. ADVERTISEMENT Robertson says he named only 33 players, rather than the 35 offered by New Zealand Rugby, so he could give every player in the squad game time over the next three Tests. If that is truly the case, he must be one of the first international coaches in history to turn down the chance to select a full squad. One would have thought he could have found a place for 25-year-old Chiefs wing Emoni Narawa, who is in the squad only as injury back-up to midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown; or Leroy Carter, the former sevens international and Narawa's franchise teammate. Carter, 26, or any of the other promising young outside backs in the country such as Macca Springer, Chay Fihaki or Caleb Tangitau would have presumably benefited hugely from the experience of training with the All Blacks two years out from the next World Cup — even without playing a Test. Sevu Reece makes a break for the All Blacks against England at Eden Park last year. (Source: Photosport) One must wonder, too, whether Reece, 28, will remain the first-choice No.14 all the way to the next World Cup. It seems unlikely. There is no other way of putting it — the shortage of outside backs (four for three positions) and multitude of midfielders (six for two) is odd, and the only way Robertson and his assistants can make the numbers add up is by leaning on players such as Ioane to be flexible. Potential debutant Timoci Tavatavanawai began his career on the wing before becoming a hit in the midfield for the Highlanders, but, given his inexperience, he will likely be introduced from the bench at some point next month. ADVERTISEMENT There are still many who believe that Ioane's best position is left wing – it's where he burst on to the scene as a 19-year-old and he quickly became regarded as one of the best in the world there due to his pace, power and attacking instincts. Now 28 and with 81 Tests behind him, Ioane has become an excellent defender at all levels but the lack of space in the middle of the park has not been as kind to his attacking game. Looking at his recent form, he performed superbly under a huge amount of scrutiny during the All Blacks' victory over Ireland in Dublin in November (after leading the haka) but his offensive opportunities at the Blues — who began firing only in the second half of this season — were limited. Ioane may not like having to move from his preferred position to the left to allow Billy Proctor to partner either Jordie Barrett or Quinn Tupaea in the midfield but it may be best for the team and, indeed, a lack of other options may make it an easier sell for Robertson and company. Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor appears the most likely replacement for Rieko Ioane at centre. (Source: Photosport) Finally, it is possible that, with Mark Tele'a moving to Japan, Robertson believes none of the young crop of wings are ready for the next level and he is keeping his proverbial powder dry for the return of Leicester Fainga'anuku, the powerful former Crusaders and All Blacks wing (and midfielder), who has just finished two excellent seasons with French club Toulon. Elsewhere, the squad looks a little light at loose forward – Robertson named only five; Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson and newcomer Du'Plessis Kirifi, rather than six. ADVERTISEMENT If Crusaders captain David Havili was the unluckiest back to miss out, then his red-and-black teammate Ethan Blackadder must be the unluckiest forward just ahead of Crusaders loosehead prop George Bower, who enjoyed a brilliant finish to the season. Did Razor and company make up their minds before the Super Rugby semifinals? Havili, Blackadder and Bower were outstanding in the final two matches for the 2025 champions. There will be those wondering too about Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu, who lost out to Chiefs player Brodie McAlister for the third spot behind Codie Taylor and Samisoni Taukei'aho. Something else Robertson has said over the past few days is the need for his side to go through the opposition as well as around them. Putting aside the fact that every All Blacks team in history (if not every rugby team ever) has had this aim, the 24-year-old Moananu, who is also a turnover expert, has more than enough power and pace to be able to do both. All Blacks squad (age, franchise, province, caps) ADVERTISEMENT Hookers: Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 96), Samisoni Taukei'aho (27, Chiefs / Waikato, 30), Brodie McAlister (28, Chiefs / Canterbury,*) Props: Ethan de Groot (26, Highlanders / Southland, 29), Tamaiti Williams (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 18), Ollie Norris (25, Chiefs / Waikato, *), Tyrel Lomax (29, Hurricanes / Tasman, 44), Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 22), Pasilio Tosi (26, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 7) Locks: Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 80) (Captain), Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues / Auckland, 51), Tupou Vaa'i (25, Chiefs / Taranaki, 38), Fabian Holland (22, Highlanders / Otago, *) Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 8), Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 94) (Vice-Captain), Du'Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, *), Wallace Sititi (22, Chiefs / North Harbour, 10), Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 24) Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 10), Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 11), Noah Hotham (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 1) First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett (34, Blues / Taranaki, 134), Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 61) Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 84), Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 68) (Vice-Captain), Rieko Ioane (28, Blues / Auckland, 81), Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 14), Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 2), Timoci Tavatavanawai (27, Highlanders / Tasman, *) ADVERTISEMENT Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (26, Blues / Auckland, 29), Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders / Southland, 32), Will Jordan (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 41), Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 1) Injury cover - The following players have been named as injury cover: Christian Lio-Willie (26, Crusaders / Otago, *) for Luke Jacobson, Emoni Narawa (25, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 2) for Anton Lienert-Brown. Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua; Ofa Tu'ungafasi; Sam Darry; Peter Lakai; Stephen Perofeta.
