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Why Rieko Ioane's new contract is such a big deal for New Zealand Rugby
By Ben Smith
Rieko Ioane’s four-year contract to remain in New Zealand with the Blues and maintain his eligibility for the All Blacks is a significant victory for both parties.
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Ioane has always been a special talent that comes along once in a generation. He was 17 years old when he made his provincial debut and fast-tracked into the New Zealand 7s side. At just 19, he made his All Black debut.
Sometimes that gift is a curse, few prodigies actually reach their full potential. The peak often doesn’t last long for those who do. Ioane could have suffered the same fate.
After his breakout year in 2017 as a 20-year-old with nine Test tries, which began with a double against the British & Irish Lions, the world was at his feet. But less than two years later, he lost his starting spot before the 2019 Rugby World Cup and missed the chance to shine on the grandest stage.
His international career was at a crossroads at that point and could have gone either way. Entering 2020 he committed to changing positions, making the task ahead even more challenging.
That Ioane has continued to grow his game and overcome early setbacks, and evolve into a legitimate Test-level centre, is a testament to his character.
It took three seasons for him to become New Zealand’s top strike centre. All of that effort would have been wasted from a New Zealand perspective if Ioane had left to play overseas.
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That is why the deal for Ioane and New Zealand Rugby is so significant. Both parties have invested significantly to get to this point.
The Ireland series last year was a blessing in disguise for the All Blacks and a baptism of fire for Ioane as a centre prospect. He had limited opportunities at 13 through 2020 and 2021, and this was his biggest challenge there.
The backline as a unit was not clicking through the second and third Tests, completely out of sorts and lacking the ability to work in numbers to create opportunities.
Ioane couldn’t produce for his outside men, stuck in carry-mode with limited awareness, and his support runners were not offering options much either.
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Ireland were the world’s best defensive team but it was still an eye-opening experience for the All Blacks.
They were outplayed in every facet, and Ireland’s outside backs Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Kennan, James Lowe ran roughshod, making the All Blacks backs look very ordinary by comparison.
After the Irish series something clicked for Ioane and the All Blacks at large.
The back half of 2022 was an explosion of expressive attack, and their speedster at 13 was at the heart of it.
His ball-playing ability sprung to life, and all of sudden, he was no longer a one-dimensional ball-hogging centre.
At Ellis Park, Luhkanyo Am took the headlines for his try and try assist but Rieko Ioane tore apart the Boks with long-range line breaks that led to key All Blacks tries on phases thereafterin the famous 35-23 win.
The All Black centre began to fire with right wing Will Jordan, forming one of the deadliest combinations in international rugby which continued throughout the season.
In the loss to the Pumas in Christchurch, Ioane came up with one of the only plays by the All Blacks when he hit Jordie Barrett for a line break that was finished for a try by Caleb Clarke.
A week later retribution was dished out in the form of a 53-3 win in Hamilton and Ioane had his best performance in the 13 jersey.
He set-up Clarke with an in-and-away swerve before finding the last pass to put his winger over. He found a perfect line outside David Havili from a scrum play to score under the posts.
Next was the All Blacks’ try of the year which came from a Rieko Ioane line break starting under the shadows of their own goal posts.
The 90-metre passage was finished off by Jordie Barrett.
Ioane continued making big line breaks against the Wallabies, although they weren’t finished, and he pulled off a one-two punch with Caleb Clarke to rip England for an 80-metre burner at Twickehham.
Defensively, Ioane has been a difference maker as well improving his reads, tackle execution and spacial coverage at the position.
In the first Test against Ireland he had an effort play to deny an Irish try over the line.
In Melbourne he held up Andrew Kellaway over the line with a never-say-die effort for what should’ve been a regulation try for the Wallabies.
In the latter half of 2022, the All Blacks had a consistent run of games with a world-class 13, leaving New Zealand fans eager for more.
Supporters expect their players to show that the team means something more to them, that it’s not just about money.
Discussions about the jersey’s legacy lose their value when players leave for the highest bidder.
What will make New Zealand rugby fans proud is Ioane’s willingness to sacrifice what he could have earned for what he can still become as an All Black.
At 26 years old there is so much more to see from him, and this deal ensures that the rest of his prime years will be in front of New Zealand fans.
Just go back to the wing...please.