Rieko Ioane

Rieko Ioane scores All Blacks mega-deal

The 59-Test All Black has re-signed with the Blues Super Rugby Pacific side and remains aligned with Auckland in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

Ioane’s impressive resume started with his first-class debut at the age of 17. He has since gone on to make 50 starts in his 59 Tests for the All Blacks, been named the 2017 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year, competed at an Olympic Games with the All Blacks Sevens, and represented the Maori All Blacks.

No going back for Rieko Ioane as All Black determined to prove himself in No 13 jersey

After an encouraging Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, Ioane was handed the No 13 jersey for the All Blacks opening test against the Wallabies only to benched for the next match after bombing a certain try with a sloppy put-down.

He then spent some time back on the wing during the Tri Nations in Australia but the setback hasn't deterred Ioane from wanting to continue to prove himself in the midfield.

"[Midfield] is where I want to be from here on out - that's the plan," the 23-year-old told 1 News.

All Blacks bring in Barretts, Ioane dropped for second Bledisloe

Five changes have been made to New Zealand's starting side for Sunday's clash at Eden Park.

Beauden Barrett has recovered from his achilles injury to start at fullback, with brother Jordie staying on the right wing and Richie Mo'unga retained at first-five.

The two other changes in the backs have centre Rieko Ioane drop to the bench, with Anton Lienert-Brown promoted the 13 jersey, while George Bridge's pectoral injury has opened the way for a starting debut for young Caleb Clarke.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster refuses to blame 'sloppy' Rieko Ioane for Wallabies draw

Dave Rennie’s Wallabies came within a coat of paint of stealing the first test of the year as Reece Hodge hit the woodwork from 53 metes out. The visitors tested the All Blacks throughout, controlling much of the ball and territory, while forcing Foster’s men to make 100 more tackles.

The All Blacks took an 8-3 lead into halftime but it should have been at least five more after Ioane dropped the ball over the line while attempting to place it with one hand.

Foster, in his first test match in charge, was philosophical about the blunder.

Fans dump All Blacks duo out of race to be crowned world's best wing

Punters worldwide have hit the polls on RugbyPass’ Facebook and Instagram accounts as part of the initiative to decide the world’s best players in each position, as voted by the fans.

Two instalments of the series have already passed, with England second rower Maro Itoje dispatching South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth for the lock title, while World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit pipped All Blacks star Ardie Savea in the flanker vote.

Blues' Rieko Ioane to miss several weeks with injury

The All Blacks wing impressed with two tries in the 37-29 loss to the Chiefs on Friday, but is now expected to be out of action for several weeks.

The news will be a bitter pill to swallow for the 22-year-old, who looked to have rediscovered some of the dazzling form that eluded him through a challenging 2019 season.

News of the injury comes just days after reports of raucous parties at Ioane's Auckland home, where he and brother Akira Ioane - also a member of the Blues squad - were allegedly at the centre of noise complaints. 

Rieko Ioane to stay on the wing for the Blues

Ioane became the All Blacks' first-choice winger after he supplanted Julian Savea ahead of last year's British and Irish Lions series and has amassed 22 tries in 21 tests.

Injuries to the Blues' playing stocks this season, however, forced Umaga to select him in the midfield for several games.

While the 21-year-old said several times over the last two years that he saw his long-term future in the midfield and that he "enjoyed everything about centre", Umaga said that he would remain on the wing next season.

Lomu, Cullen, Umaga all in one

Talk about a destructive force! Comparisons don't come much bigger than those being dished out by Doug Howlett, the wonder-wing who scored a record 49 tries in 62 tests for the All Blacks.

Ioane has just been named World Rugby's breakthrough player of the year following a stunning season where he has taken his try count to 11 from just 13 tests and looked a force in every match he has played.

"He has elements of all great All Black wingers," Howlett told the BBC's weekly rugby podcast on Wednesday.

Ioane out of final ABs test

Another day, another injury blows for the All Blacks as they stagger towards their 2017 finish-line.

Steve Hansen's battered team will have to play their final test of 2017 without their standout performer of the season, with star wing Rieko Ioane ruled out of Saturday's clash against Warren Gatland's Wales.

Rieko Ioane up for major award

The All Blacks' find of the year looks odds-on to scoop a major global award to go with his newfound status as the premier wing in New Zealand rugby.

Auckland sensation Rieko Ioane has been nominated as one of three finalists for World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year award, alongside Argentina's Emiliano Boffelli and France's Damian Penaud.