North vs South: All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane admits being torn over playing for South Island
All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane has opened up about the conflicting emotions he feels towards having to suit up for the South Island team in the upcoming North vs South clash later this month.
The historic inter-island clash will take place for the first time in eight years at Eden Park in Auckland on August 29, effectively acting as an All Blacks trial the day before Ian Foster’s 35-man national squad is announced.
A focal point of discussion following the confirmation of the fixture was how players would be eligible to represent each island.
Where a player was born, went to school or first played senior club rugby were among the most commonly suggested eligibility criteria, but Foster revealed in June that selection would be based on what Mitre 10 Cup province each player first represented.
That’s left some of New Zealand’s top stars feeling conflicted about the side they’ll be playing for, with multiple examples of players who will represent the opposite island to that which they feel attached to.
Jordie Barrett, for instance, is only be eligible for the South Island after having initially played for Canterbury at provincial level, despite being born, raised and schooled in New Plymouth.
His older brother Beauden, meanwhile, is likely to don the No. 10 jersey for the North Island.
It works the other way as well, with Invercargill-born, Christchurch-schooled All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie speaking out about the conflicting emotions he feels about playing for the North Island after playing for Waikato.
“Absolutely. It’s a great concept. Great for the fans and great for the players. I’ve always been keen to bring back the North v South game. Obviously growing up in Southland, that’s where my roots are – and going to school in Christchurch,” he told The Breakdown in June.
“It would be nice to be eligible to play for the South Island squad but obviously [my] first provincial game was for Waikato so that’s the rules and the eligibility. If I was to play for either team I’m happy but it looks like my hand will be up for the North Island team.”
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Highlanders pivot Ioane, who made his provincial debut for Otago three years ago, echoed McKenzie’s sentiments.
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While born in Auckland and schooled at the city’s prestigious King’s College, the one-cap All Black is reduced to the fact that he will likely don the white of the South Island jersey in three weeks’ time.
“I’m originally from Auckland, I’m a North Island boy, but I’ve been down here for a few years,” Ioane said.
“It is conflicting, like Damian [said], but I guess that’s how Fozzy sees it so we’ll go with it.”
With two rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa remaining, there is plenty of action to be had between now and then.
Fresh off the back of a 32-21 defeat to the Blues on Sunday – a result that eliminated the Highlanders’ slim Super Rugby Aotearoa title hopes and lost them the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy for the first time in nine years – Ioane remains focused on rounding out the season on a positive note.
“That would be awesome to play in that game [North vs South], but I think for myself, there’s two massive games ahead of me that I’ve got to get through first,” he said.
“When that challenge, or if that challenge comes, then we’ll take it when it comes.”
The first stop on the Highlanders’ final fortnight of the 2020 campaign is in Christchurch on Sunday, where they face the daunting task of taking down the league-leading Crusaders in front of their home fans.
A win for the visitors will blow the title race wide open, with both the Blues and Hurricanes reliant on the Crusaders losing to keep their respective seasons alive.
That’s easier said than done against a team that had a 36-game unbeaten streak at Orangetheory Stadium up until two weeks ago, and Ioane knows how difficult the task at hand is for his side.
“We know the Crusaders are a quality side and we know what we’re up against,” the 25-year-old said.
“Every time you play the Crusaders, you know it’s going to be a big game.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder.
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments