'He's a freak': Teammates reveal how much quicker Rieko Ioane is than Will Jordan
He’s long been recognised as one of the fastest members of the All Blacks squad, but it’s now been revealed just how quick Rieko Ioane is.
The 24-year-old flyer was named by former Blues teammate James Parson as his pick for All Blacks player of the year on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod following a stellar season of test rugby.
Flitting between the wing and the midfield throughout the course of the year, Ioane was a standout in a subpar All Blacks campaign as he established himself as a first-choice player in either position.
Parsons, who played alongside Ioane at the Blues between 2016 and 2020, told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod that what was most impressive about the utility back’s season was how he utilised his pace both in attack and on defence.
“I think Rieko’s had a massive year,” Parsons, the former two-test All Blacks hooker, said.
“Just in attack, his ability to put the team first, whether he’s at centre or he’s on the wing, he did what was asked of him in those moments, but, more importantly, the efforts we saw from Rieks on [defence].”
A prime example of Ioane’s defensive speed was seen when he backtracked about 50 metres to tackle Wallabies fullback Tom Banks during the third Bledisloe Cup test in Perth nearly three months ago.
In the wake of that match, the All Blacks claimed on social media that Ioane reached a top-end speed of 38.5km/h in that piece of play, and Parsons said it was that “lethal” turn of pace that makes him “a freak” and a highly-valued addition to the All Blacks.
“I don’t know if you remember in Perth, he chased back about 40 or 50 metres to stop a try,” Parsons said.
“He did it the other day against the French as well, and we’re seeing more often, I suppose, his speed allowing him to make some real big defensive plays as well as the attacking stuff, so I think Rieks should be really proud of his year and what he delivered for the All Blacks.
“It’s just that injection of pace. It’s just so lethal, and we haven’t seen it, I suppose, in the defensive side [of his game].
“We’ve always known him for the attacking [side of his game], but I think he got up to 39km/h when he was chasing back [to tackle Tom Banks]… But he’s a freak when it comes to that stuff.
He is partial to a good invitational team…https://t.co/b7vCv8qFiU
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“The best thing this year, more often than not, we saw him pull it out in big moments and score good tries, but also save them.”
Parsons added that, at his peak, the fastest time he saw Ioane clock in at was almost 11 metres per second, which translates to a speed of 39.6km/h.
“I think if you’re over 10 metres per second, you’re humming. That’s a good 100 metre time, and I’m pretty sure Rieks was close to 11 metres per second [at his best] at training.”
Crusaders and Maori All Blacks halfback Bryn Hall suggested that would make Ioane one of the fastest players in rugby as he told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod that an “elite” speed for outside backs is “anything over 34-35 km/h”.
By comparison, Hall said that his Crusaders teammate, and Ioane’s All Blacks teammate, Will Jordan is the fastest player at the Christchurch-based franchise with a top-end speed of up to 37km/h.
Even then, Jordan’s fastest pace would still be at least 1.5km/h slower than Ioane’s, if the claims made by Hall, Parsons and the All Blacks are all accurate.
A five-time Super Rugby champion has outlined three ways in which the All Blacks can improve from their subpar campaign heading into next year. #AllBlacks https://t.co/6LriH9ZH2c
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“Will Jordan’s the fastest at the Crusaders, and he’s like 36-37 km/h, so it just shows how fast Rieko is,” Hall told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“If Rieko is at 38-39 km/h, like Jip [Parsons] is saying, then it just shows [how fast Ioane is]. We know how fast Will Jordan is. He [Ioane] is an extra two kilometres faster [per hour].”
Suggestions that Ioane is among the fastest players in the All Blacks squad were supported by his international teammate Damian McKenzie, who told the What A Lad podcast last week that the 47-cap star is the fastest player in the national squad over 100 metres.
“He’s rapid. He’s quick. Once he gets going, he’s rapid,” McKenzie said before listing himself, Ioane, Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith as some of the fastest All Blacks over a 10 metre span.
“All of those winger, they’re rapid. Beaudy [Beauden Barrett], they’re all pretty quick. My best is probably just over a short distance. I start to fade getting late in the 100 metres.
“Again, Rieks, Nuggy’s [Smith’s] rapid. His first couple of steps, he gets away pretty quick… And Lasher [Mo’unga], he’s pretty quick over 10 metres, too. He’s speedy.”
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments