Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

The minor adjustment made by Rieko Ioane that could pay huge dividends

(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

Patrick McKendry/NZ Herald

ADVERTISEMENT

Rieko Ioane has lost a little weight, but none of his belief.

The new, trimmer, version will start on the left wing for the Blues against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Friday as confident as ever in his abilities after a disappointing 2019 All Black campaign which saw him usurped by George Bridge for the No 11 jersey after the Crusader’s superb Bledisloe Cup performance against the Wallabies at the same ground last August.

More personal blows followed at the World Cup, where Bridge edged him out of the big pool game against South Africa and sudden death matches against Ireland and England.

From being a near starting certainty at the beginning of the year, the still only 22-year-old Ioane played three matches at the World Cup and started only against Canada and the bronze medal match against Wales.

“It was a huge learning for me through the whole of 2019, especially that World Cup,” Ioane said. “Not only was it the disappointment of that semifinal, but everything; learning to go from being a starter to not playing.

Continue reading below…

Video Spacer

“I’m hugely excited for this year and looking forward to getting back to playing some good footy.

“It didn’t dent [my confidence] too much. Obviously I was disappointed I wasn’t playing but I think everyone would be. I knew the bigger picture was the World Cup itself. I just had to do my best to help the team.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I had communication with [then All Blacks assistant coach] Foz [Ian Foster] the whole time. I was in a good headspace.”

He certainly seems it as he prepares for a fresh start in what is his 50th game for the Blues. He is slimmer – he confirmed he weighs about 102kg, down from his playing weight of about 105kg last year, and seems to be relishing a role that will include a large leadership component.

“It’s the lightest I’ve been for a while,” he said. “I thought this time around I would try something a bit different and be a bit lighter – which shouldn’t be the case at centre – but I feel good. The speed is up there and the fitness is up there.

“I don’t feel too different, I just get around easier, hopefully we’ll see this Friday how the contact goes.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Ioane, who will be on restricted minutes over the next few weeks due to the All Black return-to-play protocols, shed the weight by “doing a bit more training in the offseason”. There was “nothing drastic,” he said, “no vegan or vegetarian diet as of yet.”

He confirmed he sees his future in the midfield rather than the left wing for the Blues, despite a test try-scoring record on the left which would suggest he is better suited there than anywhere else. In 29 tests, Ioane has scored 24 tries. He averages a try a game in Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship tests.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B73nMSygVoG/

English newcomer Joe Marchant will start at centre against the Chiefs, with TJ Faiane inside him at second-five.

“Wing I find comes pretty naturally,” Ioane said. “I trained there a bit when we first came in but over the last the weeks I’ve trained just at centre. I’m happy to switch in and out wherever the team needs me but I’m looking forward to playing centre this year.

“That’s where I want to play.”

In the meantime he is happy to be what’s best for the team. And, like coach Leon MacDonald and his teammates, there are few predictions for this season after so many recent disappointments for the franchise.

“The proof will be in the pudding,” he said.

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.

Former North Harbour representative Nafi Tuitavake has linked up with the Bulls in South Africa:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 37 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Cape Town | Leg 2 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

E
EleanorGribbin 7 minutes ago
Can 'great' Gibson-Park best 'freakish' Dupont in scrum-half clash for the ages?

I’m reaching out today with a heartfelt plea, hoping my experience can serve as a warning to others. I’m one of the millions who have lost everything to the Vourteige scam, and my story is a painful reminder of how easily trust can be exploited. It all started with promises of high returns: a 5-month contract, 2% monthly withdrawals on a free margin account. Everything sounded too good to be true, but I was drawn in by their convincing tactics and the allure of financial freedom. I trusted them so much that I borrowed a significant amount of money from banks, believing in the legitimacy of this investment. Unfortunately, I failed to see the warning signs and ignored the growing doubts I had.I ended up investing a substantial sum of $450,000, fully expecting to see profits and withdrawals, as promised. But that never happened. No matter how many times I tried, I couldn’t access any of my funds. The platform’s responses became more vague, and the withdrawals never came through. It soon became clear that I had been scammed, and I was left in a situation that could have led to complete financial ruin.At this point, I felt utterly hopeless. I was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the thought of facing my family, especially my parents, with this news was unbearable. They had no~ idea how~ deep I had gone into this investment, and I couldn’t bear to lose their trust. The shame I felt was overwhelming.But just when I thought there was no way out, I discovered a legitimate recovery team called Trust Geeks Hack Expert Website. www://trustgeekshackexpert.com/ They offered a glimmer of hope when everything seemed lost. The team worked tirelessly to guide me through the process of recovering my funds. Thanks to their dedication, I was able to recover 100% of my lost crypto funds. I can’t express how grateful I am for their expertise, support, and the relief I now feel.I’m sharing my story not to relive the pain, but to warn others. If you’re considering investing in anything that promises high returns with little risk, please do your research. Check trusted websites like Reddit and others to see if others have had similar experiences. Be cautious, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.Lastly, if you find yourself in a situation like mine, don’t give up. There are legitimate recovery teams out there that can help. Protect yourself, your finances, and your loved ones. The risks are real, but there is hope for recovery. E m a i l : info @ trustgeekshackexpert .. com And w h a t's A p p  +1 7 1 9 4 9 2 2 6 9 3

8 Go to comments
A
Arielle Kebbel 17 minutes ago
Can 'great' Gibson-Park best 'freakish' Dupont in scrum-half clash for the ages?

ARE YOU A VICTIM OF INVESTMENT OR BITCOIN SCAM? Visit FOLKWIN EXPERT RECOVERY FOR HELP.


Living in Vancouver, I was once a victim of a devastating crypto scam that nearly destroyed my financial life. I had invested SGD 29,000 into a platform that promised high returns. It seemed like a great opportunity at first, but I soon realized it was a fraud. The scammers convinced me that I needed to pay a withdrawal fee to access my funds. Desperate to recover my money, I complied and sent the payment. However, once I paid the withdrawal fee, everything changed. The scammer blocked me completely, and I couldn’t reach them. My funds were gone, and I was left with nothing. The loss of such a large sum was incredibly traumatic, especially since it caused a significant breakdown in my relationship with my husband. The financial strain was overwhelming, and I didn’t know where to turn. For months, I searched desperately for help, hoping to recover my lost money. I reached out to several recovery services, but most of them seemed to offer little more than empty promises. Just when I was starting to lose hope, I found Folkwin Expert Recovery. Their team stood out from the rest professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping me. Folkwin Expert Recovery took the time to understand my situation. They carefully listened to the details of the scam and immediately began working on a recovery plan. Although the process wasn’t easy, their expertise and persistence paid off. After some time, they successfully tracked down the scammer and recovered the full SGD 29,000 that I had lost. The relief I felt was indescribable, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t express enough how grateful I am to Folkwin Expert Recovery for their hard work. They went above and beyond to ensure I got my money back, and their efforts not only restored my finances but also my peace of mind. If you’re in a similar situation, I highly recommend reaching out to them. Via What's app:+1 (740)705-0711, Or email: Folkwinexpertrecovery(@)tech-center(.)com for assistance, They made all the difference in my recovery journey, and I’m forever grateful for their support.

Warm greetings,

Arielle Kebbel.

8 Go to comments
A
Arielle Kebbel 17 minutes ago
Can 'great' Gibson-Park best 'freakish' Dupont in scrum-half clash for the ages?

ARE YOU A VICTIM OF INVESTMENT OR BITCOIN SCAM? Visit FOLKWIN EXPERT RECOVERY FOR HELP.


Living in Vancouver, I was once a victim of a devastating crypto scam that nearly destroyed my financial life. I had invested SGD 29,000 into a platform that promised high returns. It seemed like a great opportunity at first, but I soon realized it was a fraud. The scammers convinced me that I needed to pay a withdrawal fee to access my funds. Desperate to recover my money, I complied and sent the payment. However, once I paid the withdrawal fee, everything changed. The scammer blocked me completely, and I couldn’t reach them. My funds were gone, and I was left with nothing. The loss of such a large sum was incredibly traumatic, especially since it caused a significant breakdown in my relationship with my husband. The financial strain was overwhelming, and I didn’t know where to turn. For months, I searched desperately for help, hoping to recover my lost money. I reached out to several recovery services, but most of them seemed to offer little more than empty promises. Just when I was starting to lose hope, I found Folkwin Expert Recovery. Their team stood out from the rest professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping me. Folkwin Expert Recovery took the time to understand my situation. They carefully listened to the details of the scam and immediately began working on a recovery plan. Although the process wasn’t easy, their expertise and persistence paid off. After some time, they successfully tracked down the scammer and recovered the full SGD 29,000 that I had lost. The relief I felt was indescribable, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t express enough how grateful I am to Folkwin Expert Recovery for their hard work. They went above and beyond to ensure I got my money back, and their efforts not only restored my finances but also my peace of mind. If you’re in a similar situation, I highly recommend reaching out to them. Via What's app:+1 (740)705-0711, Or email: Folkwinexpertrecovery(@)tech-center(.)com for assistance, They made all the difference in my recovery journey, and I’m forever grateful for their support.

Warm greetings,

Arielle Kebbel.

8 Go to comments
S
Shirleythompson 2 hours ago
Ireland vs Italy | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

Hello everyone here, I am here to warn you to please do not make the same mistake I made in the past, I was a victim of a bitcoin scam. I’m so glad that I have gotten all my funds back without any stress thanks to CYBERSPACE HACK PRO company. For me. I am posting this review because I want to be of help to someone out there going through a lot to recover their bitcoin even though many people told me it’s impossible. I invested about $632,000 from a Binary Operation company I found on Telegram. After much depositing, I decided to withdraw after several weeks but the withdrawal wasn’t successful. I contacted the binary operation through their email and phone number, though I didn’t get any response from them and that was when everything clicked that I was scammed. Some weeks later I got an email from them insisting I should invest more money if I want to withdraw my money which I rejected, and I never heard from them again. I was really devastated at this moment and felt so bad that my hard earned money was gone. Then I was introduced to this wonderful recovery company Called CYBER SPACE HACK PRO company, so I emailed them Cyberspacehackpro(@)rescueteam.com explained to them what happened and all I had to do was to follow there instructions so they can help me recover my funds which they did and i got all my money back i am so happy i decided to share my good news for those that are having same issues should contact them via

Email Cyberspacehackpro(@)rescueteam.com

WhatsApp +1 (559)508(2403)

0 Go to comments
S
Shirleythompson 2 hours ago
Teams named for PWR Final with host of internationals facing off

Hello everyone here, I am here to warn you to please do not make the same mistake I made in the past, I was a victim of a bitcoin scam. I’m so glad that I have gotten all my funds back without any stress thanks to CYBERSPACE HACK PRO company. For me. I am posting this review because I want to be of help to someone out there going through a lot to recover their bitcoin even though many people told me it’s impossible. I invested about $632,000 from a Binary Operation company I found on Telegram. After much depositing, I decided to withdraw after several weeks but the withdrawal wasn’t successful. I contacted the binary operation through their email and phone number, though I didn’t get any response from them and that was when everything clicked that I was scammed. Some weeks later I got an email from them insisting I should invest more money if I want to withdraw my money which I rejected, and I never heard from them again. I was really devastated at this moment and felt so bad that my hard earned money was gone. Then I was introduced to this wonderful recovery company Called CYBER SPACE HACK PRO company, so I emailed them Cyberspacehackpro(@)rescueteam.com explained to them what happened and all I had to do was to follow there instructions so they can help me recover my funds which they did and i got all my money back i am so happy i decided to share my good news for those that are having same issues should contact them via

Email Cyberspacehackpro(@)rescueteam.com

WhatsApp +1 (559)508(2403)

0 Go to comments
S
Shirleythompson 2 hours ago
Former Ireland captain delivers withering assessment of Six Nations

Hello everyone here, I am here to warn you to please do not make the same mistake I made in the past, I was a victim of a bitcoin scam. I’m so glad that I have gotten all my funds back without any stress thanks to CYBERSPACE HACK PRO company. For me. I am posting this review because I want to be of help to someone out there going through a lot to recover their bitcoin even though many people told me it’s impossible. I invested about $632,000 from a Binary Operation company I found on Telegram. After much depositing, I decided to withdraw after several weeks but the withdrawal wasn’t successful. I contacted the binary operation through their email and phone number, though I didn’t get any response from them and that was when everything clicked that I was scammed. Some weeks later I got an email from them insisting I should invest more money if I want to withdraw my money which I rejected, and I never heard from them again. I was really devastated at this moment and felt so bad that my hard earned money was gone. Then I was introduced to this wonderful recovery company Called CYBER SPACE HACK PRO company, so I emailed them Cyberspacehackpro(@)rescueteam.com explained to them what happened and all I had to do was to follow there instructions so they can help me recover my funds which they did and i got all my money back i am so happy i decided to share my good news for those that are having same issues should contact them via

Email Cyberspacehackpro(@)rescueteam.com

WhatsApp +1 (559)508(2403)

9 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Highlanders vs Hurricanes: Canes’ season alive, All Blacks bolter shines Highlanders vs Hurricanes: Canes’ season alive, ABs bolter shines
Search