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Rieko Ioane setback hands Blues yet another bad break

By Online Editors
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

By Patrick McKendry, NZ Herald

It’s far too early in the season to think fate is once again against him and the Blues, but Leon MacDonald may have cause to wonder given the news wing Rieko Ioane – probably his side’s best performer in their defeat to the Chiefs – faces a long layoff due to a broken hand.

Coaches are generally relentlessly optimistic people, and MacDonald is almost certainly one of those – after all the former Crusaders fullback and assistant coach chose to join a franchise which last won a Super Rugby title in 2003 and made the playoffs in 2011, but his All Black’s injury after a stunning two-try performance in the 37-29 defeat at Eden Park is a massive blow.

Ioane, 22, has arrived at the Blues in excellent physical condition – he revealed he has dropped his weight a little in order to find more mobility – and he showed during his 56 minutes against the Chiefs that he will once again be a key attacking weapon for MacDonald’s side as he attempts to force his way back into the All Blacks starting mix.

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It was Ioane’s 50th match for the Blues – afterwards his brother Akira presented him with an official keepsake – and there was no hint of the news that broke via the Blues today, news that unfortunately comes on top of a season-ending knee injury for hooker Ray Niuia and a calf strain for prop Alex Hodgman.

“To be able to do that in his 50th game, I’m pleased for him,” MacDonald said of Ioane’s performance straight afterwards. “I’m pleased he could do it in front of his friends and family. He’s a really passionate Blues man and I think his performance showed that today; he gave it everything.”

He won’t be in a position to do that again for presumably six weeks. The Blues play the Waratahs in Newcastle on Saturday and straight away MacDonald has been forced to re-shuffle his side. Six days later the formidable Crusaders visit Eden Park.

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Another potential absentee this week is flanker Tony Lamborn, who scored a try in an impressive debut for the Blues but has an infected cut on his head.

The cut, suffered in the narrow pre-season win over the Hurricanes at Onewa Domain on January 24, needed seven stitches but unfortunately for Lamborn, who didn’t train today, that hasn’t been the end of it and MacDonald may opt to start Blake Gibson instead.

Hooker and former skipper James Parsons is close to a return from a back injury and first-five Otere Black could be available after suffering a rib injury in pre-season. Halfback and former Hurricane Finlay Christie may be close to full fitness following a neck problem – a helpful addition given the lack of direction and errors that hampered the Blues throughout their defeat, particularly in the second half during which they shipped 32 points.

None of those players make up for the loss of Ioane, however.

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Should MacDonald keep faith in fullback Matt Duffie and right wing Mark Telea, Jordan Hyland could come into the mix as Ioane’s replacement against a Waratahs side who showed despite a 43-25 defeat to the Crusaders in Nelson in round one that they have pace and talent among their outside backs.

Left wing Mark Nawaqanitawase, 19, scored two tries against the Crusaders in his Super Rugby debut and is already being announced across the ditch as one of a handful of youngsters who could “save Australian rugby”.

That’s pressure their new coach Rob Penney would probably rather Nawaqanitawase do without but his side played with a structure and maturity in spite of their round one loss that suggest they could be one of the better Australian sides this season. They will certainly test the Blues.

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

In other news:

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j
john 12 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

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A
Adrian 2 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

13 Go to comments
T
Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 8 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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