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'He's a cheeky fella': Blues star Rieko Ioane responds to Sevu Reece's try-scoring celebration jibe

(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Blues star Rieko Ioane says the try-scoring celebration jibe by Crusaders wing Sevu Reece has provided him extra with motivation to beat the Crusaders in their reverse fixture in Christchurch next month.

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Reece caused a stir on social media for celebrating his 78th minute try by mocking Ioane’s signature cross-armed pose during his side’s 43-27 win over the Blues at Eden Park on Sunday.

After dotting down in the right-hand corner following a clean run to the tryline, the 24-year-old crossed his arms and stared at the crowd, replicating the celebration Ioane dished out after scoring against the Hurricanes and Highlanders earlier this season.

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Stephen Ferris | All Access

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Stephen Ferris | All Access

Speaking to media at training on Tuesday, Ioane said he was aware of Reece’s taunt and was eager to get one back over his All Blacks teammate when the Blues next face the Crusaders at Orangetheory Stadium on April 25.

“He’s a cheeky fella,” Ioane said of Reece. “It’s awesome gamesmanship. It’s good to know I’m not the only one doing it and that people actually notice as opposed to just mocking me.

“Full credit to them, winners reap the rewards, he scored so it’s awesome for him. I definitely wasn’t happy about it, don’t get me wrong. It’s stuff like that that gets you going and adds to fire.

“Having Sevu get one up on me, or your mates in the other team get one up or you, is a pretty hollow feeling. You definitely park that deep and once we face them again or even the next game it will be more fuel to the fire.

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“I actually didn’t see it during the game so he came round and asked if I saw it. It’s good gamesmanship from them so I enjoy that sort of banter on the field.”

Ioane has become renowned for his try-scoring celebrations in recent seasons, and the 24-year-old midfielder said it’s likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future, even if he has drawn criticism from some viewers for his on-field antics.

“It’s spur of the moment,” he said. “I like to express myself through my game, that’s why we train so hard all year round. When it comes to that 80-minute window that’s the fun time of the week so I like to have a bit of fun with it.

“It’s some peoples’ cup of tea and others not. I’ll keep being me.”

After copping their first defeat of the season at the hands of the four-time reigning champions, the Blues will look to bounce back against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato this Saturday.

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The Hamilton-based franchise broke their record-equalling drought last weekend as they beat the Hurricanes 35-29 to notch their first win in 11 matches.

That should give Clayton McMillan’s side plenty of confidence moving into the second half of the competition, and Ioane was relishing the prospect of coming up against his side’s local rivals.

In particular, the head-to-head battle with fellow All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will provide Ioane with a stern test as he continues his full-time transition from the wing to centre.

“Playing week to week against your All Black mates the challenge never gets any easier. I know Anton is at 13 now so I’m looking forward to Saturday night,” he said.

“It was an awesome comeback they made against the Canes. The battle of the Bombays is always a big one. It wasn’t long ago they had 20 on us at their home so it’s no easy feat going there and coming away with the win.”

The Blues currently lie in second place on the Super Rugby Aotearoa standings and are scheduled to kick-off their clash with the Chiefs at 7:05pm on Saturday NZT.

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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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