Rieko Ioane called back into All Blacks squad

Returning Leinster and Blues midfielder Rieko Ioane has been called back into the All Blacks squad as injury cover ahead of this weekend’s Nations Championship fixture with Ireland.

The All Blacks confirmed the move on social media and stated that Ioane has been brought into cover for the outside backs as they “continue to monitor injuries”.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie told media in Auckland that Ioane’s inclusion in Auckland is due to both Leroy Carter and Fehi Fineanganofo having injury clouds over them.

“Yeah, Leroy come off obviously with a bit of an AC joint, and Fehi had a bit of a shoulder injury as well [last week] so Ioane gives us a bit of outside back cover,” Rennie said on Monday in Auckland.

Rennie also confirmed that both Luke Jacobson and Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu are expected to be available for selection.

Left winger Leroy Carter was substituted in the first half against Italy after suffering a shoulder AC injury, but his status is still unknown.

Crusaders midfielder Leicester Fainga’anuku remains sidelined with a leg fracture also.

Ioane returns to the national set up after completing sabbatical season with Leinster, where he won a United Rugby Championship title with the club.

His last Test for the All Blacks was against Wales in November 2025, which was his only appearance of the Northern tour after falling out of selection favour with the previous coaching regime.

The 29-year-old has played 88 Tests since making his Test debut in 2016, and returns to the All Blacks frame in his home city ahead of this weekend’s Nations Championship clash.