Rieko Ioane
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| Full name | Rieko Edward Ioane | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 18 March 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Auckland,New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb; 16 st 7 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Auckland Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Akira Ioane(brother) Eddie Ioane(father) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Rieko Edward Ioane(/uɑːneɪ/;born 18 March 1997) is aNew Zealandprofessionalrugby unionfootballer who plays as awingor as acentrefor New Zealand teamBluesinSuper Rugbyand theNew Zealand national team.In his youth career, he was selected to play in the 2014 and 2015Sevens World SeriesforNew Zealandand took part inAuckland Grammar Schoolfirst XV, the top representative team in secondary school.[2]
Ioane represents theAucklandprovincial team and made hisprofessionaldebut for the union in 2015 at the age of 17. He spent a season at theMitre 10 Cupside, before earning a place in the Blues2016 Super Rugbysquad. He won a championship with Auckland in 2018 and was namedTom French Māori Player of the Year,NZRUSevens Player of the Year, andWorld RugbyBreakthrough Player of the Year.
Ioane made his senior international debut for New Zealand in November 2016 at the age of 19, becoming one of theyoungest playersto represent New Zealand's All Blacks.[3]Ioane has been named in many of the New Zealand squads since his debut, missing few tests due to injury. Ioane was controversially only used once in the Rugby World Cup pool stages in 2019 against Canada but was named in the New Zealand squad against Wales in the bronze final.
He was nominated for theWorld Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Yearin 2017 and 2018.
Early life[edit]
Rieko Edward Ioane was born on 18 March 1997 inAuckland,the son of Sandra Wihongi andEddie Ioane.[4]He and his parents migrated toJapanduring his early life after his father got a job playing professionalrugby unionin the country forRicoh Black Rams.[5]Growing up in New Zealand, he attendedUniversity of AucklandandAuckland Grammar School.[6]While at secondary school, Ioane was chosen to play for Grammar first XV at the age of sixteen.[4]He spent two years representing the side.
He is the younger brother ofMāori All Blacks,Blues, Auckland andNew Zealand Sevensteam-mateAkira Ioane.Their parents were also rugby players, with fatherEddie Ioanea former Samoan international lock who represented the country at the1991 Rugby World Cupand motherSandra Wihongia former lock for theBlack Fernsinternationally.
At 17 years old, Ioane made his Sevens debut at the2015 Wellington Sevens tournamentand only a year later he was part of theNew Zealand Sevens Teamcompeting at the2016 Summer Olympics.[7]Ioane won the award for All Blacks Sevens Player of The Year later in the year, at the NZ Rugby Awards on 15 December 2016.
Professional career[edit]
2015–17[edit]
Ioane was signed for Auckland in 2015 and the Blues in 2016, instantly becoming regular starters for both teams at outside centre. Ioane was just 17 years old when he made his debut for Auckland, becoming one of the youngest players to be selected at a Provincial level in New Zealand.
Ioane was called up to the seniorNew Zealandsquad for the2016 Rugby Championshipas injury cover forWaisake Naholoafter Naholo tore his hamstring againstAustralia.[8]Ioane made his debut during theend of the year touroff the bench againstItalyon 12 November 2016, replacingIsrael Daggin the 50th minute.[9]He scored his first try for the All Blacks in the 73rd minute to help them to a 68-10 victory.[9][10]Making his debut at the age of 19 years and 239 days, Rieko Ioane became the eighth youngest All Blacks Test debutant.[11]Ioane was not named in the squad to play against Ireland the following week, but came off the bench in the next game against France to replaceRyan Crottyin the 44th minute, in front of 78500 people.[12][13]
Ioane opened the 2017 Super Rugby season's first game with a hat-trick against theMelbourne Rebels.Ioane was one of the highest try-scorers of the 2017 Super Rugby season, leading the Blues with 10 tries. FollowingSonny Bill Williams' long-awaited return to rugby from an injured achilles in 2017, Ioane was shifted to the left wing for the Blues halfway through the season to accommodate for Williams starting at inside centre andGeorge Moalamoving to outside centre.
Ioane was named to start on the left wing in the Blues' historic match against theBritish & Irish Lionsand was one of the standout players in the fixture, crossing over the try-line three times in the fixture, but two of the potential tries were ruled out so Ioane contributed only five points to a 22-16 win.[14]Ioane was named in the All Blacks squad for the 3-test Lions series the following day.
Ioane was the youngest player selected for New Zealand in the All Blacks squad to face the British & Irish Lions in 2017, the day after terrorising the Lions' defence in the Blues' 22-16 win.[14]For the first test, Ioane was chosen over 53-test veteranJulian Saveato start as the left wing. Ioane scored two tries in the second half of the match, the first, finishing off aset-moveas the All Blacks shifted the ball to the left from a scrum. The second, a sublime run from the Lions' 10m line after picking the ball following the ball being dropped byLiam Williamsattempting to catch a high kick, helping New Zealand to win 30-15.[15]Ioane started in the second test, where the All Blacks were defeated 24-21.[16]Ioane was ruled out of the third after falling ill with influenza.
Ioane confirmed his spot as a regular starter throughout the2017 Rugby Championshipand displaced Savea in the entire squad, being awarded Man of the Match against Australia on 26 August and finished the tournament as the joint-highest try-scorer with Australian fullbackIsrael Folau.Ioane scored his fifth of the tournament in the 25-24 win over South Africa, intercepting the ball from 80 metres, outpacing the Springboks defence to score. He was only subbed off once in 2017, being replaced by debutantDavid Haviliwith nine minutes left in the second test against Argentina during the Rugby Championship.
Ioane clearly established himself as New Zealand's first-choice left winger on the 2017 end-of-year tour, having great games against France and Scotland, earning himself nominations for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year andWorld Rugby Player of the Year,the latter of which he was up against teammateBeauden Barrettfor. Ioane's 2017 season was thought to be over after a shoulder injury sustained at training, but he was named to start in the final test of 2017 against Wales. Ioane scored two tries in the test and also set one up forAnton Lienert-Brown,winning his second Man of the Match award for 2017 after the All Blacks won 33-18. Ioane won Breakthrough Player of the Year the following day, but lost World Player of the Year to Barrett. At the 2017 New Zealand rugby awards, Ioane was named theTom French Memorial Māori player of the year.[17]
2018[edit]
As of week 16 of the2018 Super Rugby season,Ioane has scored seven tries in the competition. With the exception of the Blues' defeat to the Rebels on 2 June 2018, Ioane has played the full 80 minutes of every game for the Blues during the 2018 Super Rugby season. Despite being used out of position at Inside Centre multiple times during the season, Ioane was still the Blues' highest try-scorer in 2018, scoring 10 tries. His outstanding form in Super Rugby saw him retain his place as a regular starter for the All Blacks during the2018 Steinlager seriesagainst France.
On 9 June 2018, Ioane scored two tries against France during the second half of the All Blacks' 52-11 victory at Eden Park. His second try, in the 74th minute, was intercepted from the French reserve hookerAdrien Pélissié80m out from the tryline. Although French wingerTeddy Thomasalmost caught up to Ioane, Ioane still managed to score. Ioane played the full 80 minutes of the second test, on 16 June and had an outstanding defensive performance, although he failed to make the same impact on attack, with reserve first-five-eighthDamian McKenziefinding it difficult to control the game and distribute the ball to Ioane.
On 23 June 2018, having already been phenomenal defensively during the first half, Ioane scored the first hat-trick of his international career, in the second half of the final test of the Steinlager series, as the All Blacks beat France 3-0 in the series, winning the final test 49-14 at theForsyth Barr Stadiumin Dunedin. Ioane was the first All Black to score a hat-trick in over two years, when former All BlackJulian Saveascored the final hat-trick of his career against France when the All Blacks beat them 62-13 during the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Ioane scored his three tries against France in the space of only 12 minutes, with Damian McKenzie setting Ioane up for his first and third, while Vice-CaptainBen Smithset Ioane up for his second. Ioane managed to beat four French defenders when he scored his first try, despite the defenders being in front of Ioane. Ioane finished the Steinlager series having played the full 80 minutes of all three tests against France, as well as the highest try-scorer of the competition. Ioane lost out on the award for Man of the Match to outstanding lockScott Barrett.
Although he missed two games in the competition, due to injury, Ioane was the leading try-scorer of the2018 Rugby Championship,scoring 5 tries in the competition. Ioane shared the title with All Black team-mate,Beauden Barrett,as well as South African winger,Aphiwe Dyantyi.Scoring doubles against Argentina and South Africa, Ioane bought his international try tally to 21 tries, from only 20 tests.
Ioane played in four tests during the All Blacks' end-of-year tour in 2018, including the third Bledisloe Cup test against Australia, where he was named Man of The Match.[18]
2019[edit]
Ioane was once again retained in the All Blacks' squad, for the2019 Rugby Championship.Having featured in the All Blacks' 16-16 draw with South Africa, Ioane, as well asBen SmithandOwen Franks,went on to perform poorly in a record 26-47 defeat to Australia, whereScott Barretthad already been red-carded.[19]Ioane missed the second Bledisloe Cup test of 2019 injured, which saw him and Smith replaced by rookie wingers,Sevu ReeceandGeorge Bridge,withBeauden Barrettmoved to fullback.
On 28 August, All Blacks Head Coach,Steve Hansen,named Ioane as one of 31 players in New Zealand's squad for the2019 Rugby World Cup. [20]However, due to the incredible form of Reece and Bridge, Ioane only featured once in the pool stages, scoring his only try of the competition in a 63-0 win over Canada. Ioane later went on to feature in the Bronze Final against Wales, with New Zealand having lost 7-19 to England. New Zealand claimed third place, beating Wales 40-17.
2021[edit]
In 2021 Ioane helped the Blues win the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition. In 2021 he played 13 tests for the All Blacks and scored 5 tries.
2022
In 2022, Ioane was a key part of the Blues squad that helped them reach the final of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific. Although they would go on to lose to the Crusaders atEden Park.
2023
On the 16th of April in 2023, New Zealand Rugby announced they had re-signed Rieko Ioane until the end of the 2027.[21]
Statistics[edit]
| Club | Year | Competition | GP | GS | TRY | CON | PEN | DGL | PTS | WL% |  |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 2015 | Bunnings NPC (incl.Ranfurly Shield) |
6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 83.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 44.44 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Blues | 2016 | Super Rugby Pacific | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 60.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 53.33 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 26.67 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 35.71 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 72.73 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2021† | 14 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 71.43 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 83.33 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career | 103 | 99 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 295 | 53.26 | 1 | 0 | ||
Updated:21 June 2022 Source:Rieko E Ioane Rugby History
List of international test tries[edit]
Updated:15 September 2023 Source:Rieko E Ioane Statsguru
Honours[edit]
New Zealand
- Rugby World Cup/Webb Ellis Cup
- Third place:2019
- Individual
- 2xWorld Rugby Player of the Yearnominee
- 2017, 2018
Blues Super Rugby Pacific Champions: 2024
References[edit]
- ^ab"Rieko Ioane player profile".rugbyworldcup.com.Retrieved16 October2023.
- ^"Rieko Ioane Sevens Profile".2 July 2015.
- ^"Youngest appearance".ESPN Scrum.3 August 2018.Retrieved3 August2018.
- ^abRichard Knowler (21 October 2017)."All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane on living at home, family and test footy".Stuff.Retrieved7 November2018.
- ^"Rieko Ioane values 'family history with Japan' as All Blacks prepare for Bledisloe battle".Stuff.24 October 2018.Retrieved7 November2018.
- ^Gregor Paul (31 August 2014)."Unearthing talent is becoming dirty".New Zealand Herald.Retrieved8 November2018.
- ^"43 Māori athletes to head to Rio Olympics".Te Karere.5 August 2016.Retrieved6 August2016.
- ^"Uncapped winger Rieko Ioane is among five players called up by New Zealand".Sky Sports. 22 August 2016.Retrieved13 October2016.
- ^ab"Italy vs New Zealand - Player Statistics - Friendly 2016 - 13 Nov, 2016 - ESPN".ESPN.com.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^"New Zealand bounce back from Ireland defeat by crushing Italy 68-10".Sky Sports.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^"Rieko Ioane | allblacks.com".All Blacks.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^"Ireland vs New Zealand - Commentary - New Zealand tour 2016 2016 - 20 Nov, 2016 - ESPN".ESPN.com.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^"France vs New Zealand - Commentary - Friendly 2016 - 27 Nov, 2016 - ESPN".ESPN.com.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^ab"Blues vs British and Irish Lions - Report - British and Irish Lions tour 2017 2017 - 7 Jun, 2017 - ESPN".ESPN.com.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^Cleary, Mick; Morgan, Charlie (24 June 2017)."All Blacks 30 Lions 15: Clinical New Zealand take series lead in Auckland as tourists rue lapses".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^Cleary, Mick; Morgan, Charlie (1 July 2017)."Lions 24 All Blacks 21: Lions leave it late to beat 14-man All Blacks and force decider".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved11 April2018.
- ^"Black Ferns dominate rugby awards".RNZ Sport.14 December 2017.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^"Bledisloe Cup: All Blacks wow fans in win over Wallabies".The Guardian.27 October 2018.Retrieved28 February2020.
- ^"All Blacks lock Scott Barrett banned for three weeks after red card in Bledisloe Cup clash".nzherald.co.nz.Retrieved24 December2019.
- ^"All Blacks squad named for Rugby World Cup 2019".allblacks.com.Retrieved29 September2019.
- ^"Rieko Ioane signs 2027 contract extension".allblacks.com.Retrieved16 April2023.
External links[edit]
- Rieko IoaneatAllBlacks.com(archive)
- Rieko Ioaneat ItsRugby.co.uk
- Rieko IoaneatESPNscrum
- Rieko Ioaneat theWorld Rugby Men's Sevens Series(archived)
- Rieko Ioaneat theNew Zealand Olympic Committee
- Rieko IoaneatOlympics.com
- Rieko IoaneatOlympedia
- 1997 births
- New Zealand rugby union players
- New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
- Rugby union wings
- Rugby union centres
- Rugby union players from Auckland
- Blues (Super Rugby) players
- Auckland rugby union players
- New Zealand male rugby sevens players
- People educated at Auckland Grammar School
- Māori All Blacks players
- Rugby sevens players at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Olympic rugby sevens players for New Zealand
- New Zealand international rugby sevens players
- Ngāpuhi people
- Te Whānau-ā-Apanui people
- Ponsonby RFC players
- Living people
- New Zealand international rugby union players
- New Zealand expatriates in Japan
- 2019 Rugby World Cup players
- 2023 Rugby World Cup players