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'Biggest name throughout Super Rugby': Ex-All Black left puzzled by left wing selection
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Everyone has the same fear about Rieko Ioane after latest Leinster showing
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Star All Black midfielder Rieko Ioane has left fans alarmed after his latest showing for Leinster against Glasgow in the URC.
The 29-year-old left New Zealand to join the European heavyweights on a one-year sabbatical at the end of last year and intends to return home for the final year of his four-year deal with NZR.
But the All Black has left many concerned despite producing a try assist against Glasgow, intercepting a short pass and then linking with his winger for the finish.
Ioane, renown as one of the game’s fastest players since breaking onto the international scene in 2017 against the British & Irish Lions, looked pedestrian in the open field and essentially gave up trying to run the try in himself. Fans who saw the play said it was the defining moment that signals it’s “over” for Ioane as a top tier player with fears for his All Black career.
The InsideRugbywithMark X account wrote a eulogy for Ioane’s All Black prospects, saying he has checked out of “body and mind” and the desire to compete was clearly not there.
“Rieko Ioane. It’s over. After watching Ioane’s performance against Glasgow this weekend one could see that both the mind and the body have checked out of 1st class rugby,” he wrote.
“On a few occasions Ioane’s once-devastating speed was no longer there, but more importantly the desire. With the line ahead of him after getting through a break instead of pinning his ears back and head to the try line Ioane immediately looked for support to throw the ball too.
“Dave Rennie surely won’t be considering Ioane in his selections for this season.”
Every other fan who saw the play had the same thought, with one Leinster fan asking “how did he lose all his pace” and wondered if Ioane was battling any injuries.
“Watching Glasgow vs Leinster #URC highlights and the Rieko Ioane intercept on the 17th min. He used to be rapid. What’s happened? He didn’t even try! Passed it to someone in a worse position. Try scored, but how did he lose all his pace? Hasn’t had major injuries that we know of?”
Watching Glasgow vs Leinster #URC highlights and the Rieko Ioane intercept on the 17th min. He used to be rapid. What’s happened? He didn’t even try! Passed it to someone in a worse position. Try scored, but How did he lose all his pace? Hasn’t had major injuries that we know of?
— Jou Ma se…profile (@SheldonStamps) March 23, 2026
“Rieko Ioane used to be sooo quick when he was making his early debuts”, another wrote.
Ioane’s days as a winger are long gone, with the star making the transition to the midfield in 2020 after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and becoming the starting All Black No.13 in 2022 under former coach Ian Foster.
Under Scott Robertson, Ioane retained his starting role at centre in 2024 but was essentially phased out in 2025, shifted to the left wing before being usurped by Leroy Carter.
At 29-years-old, Ioane’s speed may have well declined, but at his best he was more of a defensive centre for the All Blacks with an ability to make great cover tackles.
However, Ioane risks becoming a disappointment for Leinster, with Irish scribe Rúaidhrí O’Connor calling on Ioane to “do more” now to justify his position in the starting side for the rest of the season.
Ioane is eligible to play for the All Blacks this year under incoming head Dave Rennie when he returns to New Zealand.
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