Should Rieko Ioane leave the Blues?
21-year-old wing Rieko Ioane is off-contract at the end of the year. The star will likely re-sign with NZR, but should he stay with the Blues?
The Blues are on track for another sub-par season, currently 4-10 with the playoffs nowhere in sight – a drought for the Auckland-based franchise that extends back to 2011. They earned their first home win of the season against the struggling Reds on the weekend. Based on this year’s performance, the future looks bleak for this once-great franchise.
The team extended head coach Tana Umaga’s contract for another year, giving him a fourth season to prove his worth. Their smartest addition could prove to be Tasman coach Leon MacDonald, an attacking mind who shaped the Crusaders champion backline, but risk remains with the appointment – he walked away from a successful Crusaders team just one season into a two-year deal to be closer with his family in Blenheim. How Auckland fits into the equation remains to be seen.
For Ioane, this season has been a positional musical chairs in an ever-changing backline. His long-term goal is to play 13 for All Blacks, but he has only started there three times for the Blues this year. When he resumes his left wing position he is often a wasted resource. The backline struggles to free him up on the edge and he relies on roaming to get into the game. He is often switched into centre late in games, which has seen explosive cameos at times.
With his new deal in the works, it would only be due diligence to consider all available options and landing spots with a long-term commitment to the NZR pending. Ioane’s long-term goal of cementing himself as a centre will determine the length of his career in New Zealand. If he achieves the transition, he may play here until his thirties, if not, then he may only have 5-6 years in the All Blacks picture, such is the lifespan of a winger.
There would be no better place for a wing than the Crusaders where both wingers feature regularly at the top of try scoring lists. The flat, width game they play so well always ends up creating space on the edge, where Ioane could cause havoc. The move would be a huge culture shock, any ego would have to be put aside to gel with a group hellbent on winning. With Crotty likely moving on post World Cup, there is potential for Ioane to move infield with Goodhue taking the 12 jersey. He may have to take a discount to get there, but it could be the best place to develop into a 13 and the Crusaders will find out quickly if he has a future there.
The Chiefs already have their centre stocks sorted, with Anton Lienart-Brown and Johnny Fa’auli the future pairing. With Damian McKenzie’s electric play from 10, having Ioane on the wing could provide the most dangerous backline in the competition. Solomon Alaimalo is a damaging force that could play anywhere in the back three to accommodate Ioane. With a young core already finding success, the Chiefs are built to compete for titles.
The Hurricanes present the most intriguing proposition, with an experienced spine in the middle of their most successful era. The Hurricanes backline is a star-studded lineup but there would be room for Ioane. Julian Savea is heading overseas, Nehe Milner-Skudder is an uncertainty long-term and so is Matt Proctor. Proctor, when healthy, is the Hurricanes number one centre but isn’t in the All Blacks picture and may find overseas offers calling. Vince Aso played nearly a full season at centre last season, but is preferred as a winger. Pairing Ioane with Laumape in the midfield outside Barrett, with younger brother Jordie outside would be an embarrassment of riches with Ben Lam and Aso on the flanks.
The Highlanders would be the least desired situation, with an aging cast and key players departing such as Lima Sopoaga. The southerners will be competitive in the short-term but could be re-building by the time Ioane is hitting his straps.
The last and most likely option is obviously to stay with the Blues. With young first-five Stephen Perofeta, the Blues can build an exciting young core with Ioane as the centrepiece. The 13 jersey at the Blues is calling for Ioane, who also have young left-wing Caleb Clarke to accommodate. Clarke is a natural finisher with limited versatility so it opens the door for a permanent Ioane move.
Tana Umaga’s deep attack has yet to pay dividends, so staying at the Blues is based on comforts and unfilled potential. If he wants to win championships now, the Hurricanes, Crusaders, and Chiefs present the best opportunities but he may be used primarily as a winger first.
If he wants to play centre long-term, the Blues give him the best opportunity for game time but whether he can develop into a test level 13 in the struggling Blues game plan is another story.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
I agree ..come on keyboard warriors and journalists looking for a cheap win ….. only 2 mins to go 12 points down …this DID NOT decide the game and beside JM was hit after the whistle and in response it was a pat on the back of the head …harmless ….watch soccer if this is your issue
4 Go to commentsRest is for namby pamby sissies, I see. True men should overcome their trifling injuries by playing week in, week out. Bidwell’s stance reminds me of a Jon Gadsby character from the 70s, a rugby captain giving an after-match speech: “It was a very physical contest. One of our players caught a boot on the back of his head in a ruck, and he died, actually. But to his credit, he played on.”
1 Go to commentsI still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
1 Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
2 Go to commentsThere is some talent coming thru thats for sure. The 10 looks special to me. Rico Simpson is a name to look for in the future.
1 Go to commentsI think this quiet honestly is just an innocent misunderstanding by someone who is pig sh*t stupid. Eben is a fine player but by christ, if he can’t understand or get what the Irish players were trying to say to him after the match…..well i hope he has someone looking after his finances, career and is reading the fine print for him, cause life after rugby may be quite difficult for the vacuous echo chamber.
27 Go to commentsIt could be Doris' day!
3 Go to commentsThe whole thing has blown up because Eben’s words have clearly struck a nerve in Ireland. Otherwise they would just laugh it off. I think some former Irish players, commentators and some Irish fans know deep down this Ireland team started to believe its own press and that a certain amount of arrogance had started to creep in during the World Cup. The topic was actually brought up by Irish pundits on Off the Ball recently. It’s fine to be arrogant if you can back it up. Ireland didn’t.
27 Go to comments‘The Irish are good people'. Why is Goode praising a people who hate his own? Wet wipe.
27 Go to commentsLa mejor final que se puede ver en el emisferio norte.
1 Go to commentsA lot of cope from south africans in the comments. Etzebeth is a liar and a hypocrite; you don’t have to defend him!
27 Go to commentsHe got big and really slow for a flyhalf…not sure he’s relevant in a bok conversation anymore
4 Go to commentsBest tourney team vs best team in the regular season for 3 games in RSA - talk is cheap, let’s see what’s what on the tour
27 Go to commentsOne overlooked statistic from their 2016 winning season is the Huricanes are still the only team in Super rugby history not to concede a try during the playoff rounds.
4 Go to commentsThanks for the article, Nick. The Nienaber blitz D does ask a lot of its scrumhalf. I have been watching JGP on D and he often looks like he has mastered what Nienaber asks for better than Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach! 🤣 Impressive season by JGP if I must make an understatement.
22 Go to commentsOkay last one. I promise. I think it’s despicable for Andy Goode to suggest that Eben can’t count to 12. To be fair he only had to count to 8 - the number of Irishmen who DIDN’T say that. Less the 3 kiwis of course. 23 - 12 - 3 = 8. See Joe. I can do maffs.
27 Go to commentsCheers, Nick! How do you see the Reds’ Jock Campbell’s play this year? Not as strong a carrier as Andrew Kellaway or Tom Wright, but does avoid errors. Do you see Joe Schmidt as wanting safety first at 15 or a try-assisting counterattacker?
91 Go to commentsI’m sure this was all just a big misunderstanding. Irishmen and Afrikaaners conversing in a noisey stadium. Not easy to get the right messages across. A minefield.
27 Go to commentsSay what you will about Andy Goode. But he is right about one thing… I’m not sure what that one thing is exactly… but I’m willing to hear him out.
27 Go to commentsAnother article to bait and trigger Irish fans. This must stop.
27 Go to comments