‘I can still score’: Rieko Ioane’s reaction after ending long drought

In the lead-up to what was a Bledisloe Cup thriller at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, All Black Rieko Ioane sat down with this writer to discuss a range of topics. Food, sevens and the Wallabies were all on the agenda, along with a focus on pressure and dealing with outside noise.

Ioane has come under fire a bit this year as fans on social media call for coach Scott Robertson to move the 27-year-old from the midfield back to the wing. The veteran of almost 80 Tests started his international career on the wing but has since found a home at centre.

When Ioane was a 19-year-old on the All Blacks left wing, he scored tries for fun. That continued for years but that hasn’t been the case at outside centre. Before Saturday’s Test, Ioane hadn’t scored a try since last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

Fans were critical of that.

“Did Conrad (Smith) really score that many tries? People weren’t out saying, ‘Why’s he not out scoring tries’ because he’s focusing his skills in other places,” Ioane told RugbyPass. “I’ve evolved my game from just tries.”

But the good news for Ioane and All Blacks fans is that the try drought is over. While Ioane does play differently now he’s at outside centre, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to score tries or is incapable of doing so.

Ioane flew down the left sideline in the eighth minute to score the All Blacks’ second try of the afternoon against the Wallabies.

“I can still score tries,” Ioane told reporters post-game with a smile.

“Definitely happy. Big old drought but happy to get it done and come away with the win.”

Ioane’s effort helped the All Blacks take an incredible 14-nil lead after just nine minutes. Winger Caleb Clarke scored shortly after to extend the visitors’ advantage to a staggering 21-nil lead after just 15 minutes of play, too.

But the Wallabies were resilient as they clawed their way back into the contest. Fraser McReight and Matt Faessler scored a try each either side of an Ardie Savea five-pointer, which saw the Aussies trail 14-28 at the break.

Points Flow Chart

New Zealand win +3

Time in lead

0

Mins in lead

81

0%

% Of Game In Lead

100%

81%

Possession Last 10 min

19%

7

Points Last 10 min

0

The Wallabies scored two tries to none in the second term as they, miraculously, got themselves in with a chance of winning the Test. It was 28-31 with one minute left, but time just wasn’t on the Wallabies’ side as the All Blacks hung on for an important win.

“In that second half we came out, got points early which was a pleasing start but I think our discipline let us down and our ability to execute down in their red zone wasn’t up to standard,” Ioane explained.

“But, we owned that.

“Retaining the Bledisloe Cup is not easy so we’re happy.

“I think they’re a quality attacking side,” he added. “They attack a lot more than teams we’ve played so far. They’re similar to us in ways.

“They just definitely exploited us in some areas but we’ll touch that up… a lot of it was our poor discipline and execution.”

That was the All Blacks’ first win since beating Los Pumas at Auckland’s Eden Park last month. More recently, they were beaten by the world champion Springboks in thrilling Tests at Johannesburg’s Emirates Airline Park and Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.

Those back-to-back defeats saw the All Blacks lose their hold on The Freedom Cup which is the All Blacks-Springboks equivalent of the Bledisloe Cup. That was the first time in 15 years the Springboks had won that prestigious trophy.

“Obviously, we lost one already so to keep the Bled is so crucial to us.

“The changerooms are buzzing at the moment… a win’s a win.”