'He was keen': Robertson on Rieko Ioane's switch back to wing

He’s been one of the most talked about rugby players in New Zealand, for multiple reasons, but the public have got their wish, as Scott Robertson has named 81-Test veteran Rieko Ioane on the left wing to take on France.

This weekend in Dunedin will be Ioane’s first on the left wing since the 2021 end-of-year tour where he played there against Wales, before making a move to centre, where he has played for the last couple of years for the All Blacks and the Blues.

The public has long put pressure on the All Blacks coach to make this specific move, after Ioane’s remarkable start to his Test career in this position.

When asked about making the decision to move Ioane to wing, Robertson explains that the Blues back was “keen” to make the move.

“Rieko’s confident in either position, he can start or finish there at either and this is opportunity here on the wing and do some finishing for us,” Robertson told reporters in Dunedin.

“It’s exciting, he was keen, he was up for it and whatever’s best for the team.”

Ioane has played most, if not all of his rugby for the All Blacks and the Blues in the past couple of years at centre, but Robertson clearly sees his best position going forward to be on the left wing.

The move also comes after Blues teammate Caleb Clarke was struggling for Super Rugby Pacific form on the left wing throughout the season, and didn’t score once during the Blues’ campaign in 2025.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

26 - 52

33 - 19

17 - 25

13 - 26

14 - 28

48 - 46

50 - 40

33 - 8

12 - 54

36 - 14

4

Wins

4

1

Streak

1

21

Tries Scored

30

47

Points Difference

81

4/5

First Try

4/5

3/5

First Points

4/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

5/5

Hurricanes midfielder Billy Proctor is the one to replace Ioane at centre, someone who Robertson believes will compliment the other members of the backline.

“Yeah for sure, he’s had a great couple of seasons, it was a shame because he did the end-of-year tour. but because of the baby he couldn’t quite get back and play a couple of games at the end there,” Robertson said.

“But look, he’s (Proctor) been consistent, he can play square, good on both sides of the ball and he complements the back line beautifully.”