Josh Ioane to start for the All Blacks this weekend?
Josh Ioane could make his long-awaited test debut this weekend after being re-called into the All Blacks squad ahead of their final World Cup warm-up match against Tonga this weekend.
The uncapped first-five has been re-called into the national side as Richie Mo’unga continues to nurse a shoulder injury sustained in the All Blacks’ 36-0 thrashing of the Wallabies in Auckland last month.
24-year-old Ioane was included in the All Blacks’ 39-man Rugby Championship squad in July, but was cut from the 34-man side for the Bledisloe Cup series.
He stayed with the squad as a train-on player for their two-match series against Australia, but failed to make the 31-man World Cup team named last week.
During his time as part of the Rugby Championship side, Ioane was named on the bench for the tournament opener in what would have been his test debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
However, he didn’t make it onto the field during his side’s scratchy 20-16 victory over the Pumas, while fellow rookies Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Luke Jacobson and Atu Moli all went on to make their first test appearances.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen cited that the coaching staff were wary about the harming Ioane’s development had the side suffered their first-ever loss at the hands of Argentina.
“It wouldn’t have been fair to put him out – we lose the test match and everyone starts pointing fingers at a young kid because he’s steering the ship,” he said in the wake of the clash.
“We didn’t want that to happen so we didn’t put him on. When the time comes I’m sure from what we’ve seen last week and what we’ll see this week, eventually he’ll get a game.”
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This week’s match against Tonga – the world’s 15th-ranked side – at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon presents itself as a prime opportunity for Ioane to finally get a game in the black jersey.
Hansen has previously indicated that he would play a full-strength side against the ‘Ikale Tahi in their last match before their World Cup campaign, which begins against the Springboks in Yokohama on September 21.
Had Mo’unga been injury-free, that almost certainly would have seen him and Beauden Barrett continue their dual-playmaking axis from first-five and fullback, which has been used throughout the All Blacks’ last three tests.
With Mo’unga now out the picture, though, it seem likely that Ioane will step straight into the starting No. 10 role.
It would make sense given that would allow Barrett to continue to work in a dual-playmaking role with his first-five, even if that isn’t Mo’unga.
In doing so, it would provide good preparation for the World Cup, where the 10-15 playmaking combo is expected to be a key component of the All Blacks’ game plan.
Alternatively, Hansen could revert back to deploying Barrett in his natural position of first-five for the Tonga test, which would open the door for either veteran fullback Ben Smith or youngster Jordie Barrett to reclaim the No. 15 jersey.
Smith, who was dropped from the Bledisloe Cup decider following a string of underwhelming performances, hasn’t featured at fullback at test level yet this year, and has instead been played on the right wing.
Barrett, meanwhile, has played two tests this year, starting at No. 15 against Argentina, and then came off the bench as Mo’unga’s replacement against Australia at Eden Park, where he swapped with brother Beauden to close the game out at fullback.
Starting either one of Smith or Barrett would probably result in Ioane being named on the bench, but with this fixture expected to be a blowout in favour of the All Blacks.
Therefore, it’s highly likely the Highlanders star will get at least some game time, as the pressures that restricted him from taking to the field in Argentina test won’t be evident against Tonga.
In saying that, aside from suggesting that he will field his strongest possible side, no further indication has been given by Hansen in terms of who he plans to start at first-five this weekend.
The All Blacks side to face Tonga will be named on Thursday morning.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t enjoy drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments