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Chiefs confirm signing of one-test All Blacks star Josh Ioane

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The Chiefs have announced the signing of one-test All Blacks star Josh Ioane for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

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It was announced on Monday that Ioane’s former team, the Highlanders, had released the 26-year-old playmaker from the last year of his contract “to enable him to explore other opportunities”.

The decision has brought an end to Ioane’s four-season spell with the Dunedin-based franchise, as the Maori All Blacks pivot has instead opted to throw his lot in with the Chiefs for next season.

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The Hamilton-based franchise confirmed the acquisition of Ioane – who comes into the squad seemingly as a replacement for star playmaker Damian McKenzie, who is set to go on sabbatical in Japan next year – on Tuesday.

“Josh is a quality footballer and welcome addition to the Chiefs,” interim Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said via a statement.

“His versatility and experience is advantageous, but more importantly, creates further depth and genuine competition for places across our backline.

“That brings a healthy edge to a team environment and we need that to keep fostering individual and collective growth. I know Josh is excited about challenging himself in a new environment and we look forward to him joining the Chiefs whanau in 2022.”

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After debuting for the Highlanders in 2018, Ioane made his first and only appearance for the All Blacks in a World Cup warm-up test against Tonga in 2019.

That came after a superb Super Rugby campaign which looked like the beginning of a long and fruitful career at the Highlanders for Ioane.

However, his time in Dunedin was instead marred by numerous off-field incidents involving alcohol, including this year, when he and five other players were stood down for a match for excessive partying in the wake of their loss to the Hurricanes in Dunedin.

Ioane was also suspended by Otago for a match last year after he and All Blacks Sevens star Vilimoni Koroi turned up to training in an unacceptable state after breaching the team’s alcohol policy.

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Despite his off-field disruptions, Ioane spoke highly of his time in Dunedin as he thanked the Highlanders for the opportunity they afforded to him.

“I’ve loved my time with the Highlanders and am grateful for everything they’ve done for me” he said.

“However, I’m excited to link up with the Chiefs whanau. They’ve built an amazing culture up there from what I’ve heard and I admire what the Chiefs are about. Hopefully I am able to add something to that environment.”

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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