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'We don't mind running up the guts': Akira Ioane ready for starting role
By Ned Lester
Akira Ioane was in no doubt that some “magic moments” would come in the second Bledisloe Cup test, but was focusing on keeping it simple in his third start of the season.
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The Australian loose forward trio had a huge performance against the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe test, both Pete Samu and Rob Valentini showed impressive physicality in contact and fluent running skills in the wider channels.
Ian Foster was forced to name an entirely new loose forward trio of his own for the sequel test after injuries to both Scott Barrett and captain Sam Cane. Ioane comes in to the No 6 jersey while Blues teammate Dalton Papali’i fills the No 7 in their captain’s absence.
Ioane assured media he was up for the challenge no matter what the game threw at him while acknowledging the threat his opposition holds.
“They’re a good loose trio those Aussies,” Ioane said.
“Ardie’s coming back in, me and Dalt’s (Papali’i) back in the starting lineup so we have just got to do our job.
“We can’t go out there thinking that we’re gonna try do something better than them, we just have to do our job within the team and if those magic moments happen then they happen, we’re all about the team first and just trying to play well.”
The second Bledisloe clash promises more running rugby, something Ioane strives on in Super Rugby.
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“Yeah, but then we don’t mind, you know, running it up the guts as well, so it goes both ways,” he said.
“Like I said, those magic moments will happen and hopefully we’re on the good side of those.”
The Eden Park test will see the return of inspirational No 8 Ardie Savea, who missed the last test to return home to Wellington for the birth of his third child.
Savea’s selection lends some experience to a young loose forward trio looking to make their mark on the black jersey in limited opportunities.
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Ioane spoke about helping Savea be at his best.
“Yea, Ards (Savea) is a special player, everyone knows it, he’s probably the best player for our team going round so we’ve just got to help him out, do what we can, do our job, so then he can be out on the wing stepping everyone, gassing the wingers and stuff like that.”
“We just have to do our job and those moments will happen, with Ardie and even this guys sometimes (Papali’i) here and there, but just looking forward to what we can do on Saturday night.
