Why Rieko Ioane needed Leinster stint after finding himself in a 'rut'

88-Test All Black veteran Rieko Ioane has revealed part of the reason why he jetted off to Ireland for a short-term sabbatical at Leinster.

Ioane’s return to the All Blacks comes after a season-long move to Irish club Leinster, after spending most, if not all, of his career to date with the Blues and Auckland.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie included the versatile outside-back in his 44-man squad to take on South Africa in the upcoming Greatest Rivalry Tour, which starts next Friday against the Stormers in Cape Town.

The 29-year-old last played for the All Blacks under former head coach Scott Robertson during 2025’s end-of-year tour against Wales in Cardiff.

Opening up to media in Auckland on Monday, Ioane explained the benefit of his short-term move, and expressed the need to get out of a comfortable environment with the Blues.

“Yeah, look, it was super valuable. I think it was refreshing to be over there. You know, seeing different sides, playing some awesome rugby with an awesome bunch of boys,” Ioane said after being named in the All Blacks squad for South Africa.

“But yeah, it’s something that I felt I needed upon reflection coming back, and something that in terms of my footy and where I was at and where I’m at now, it’s probably one of the best things I could have done was going there.”

Ioane, who’s scored 39 tries for the All Blacks across his 88 Tests, said the different environment helped him get out of a “rut” that he found himself in while in New Zealand.

“Oh, look, it wasn’t so much learning different styles or anything, it’s just more just like refreshing and seeing everything was brand new to me, a brand new team, playing brand new stadiums and different parts of the world, and I think that’s what I felt was best for me.

“It was getting a bit same, same back home, and I found myself in a bit of a rut, just with everything to do with footy, and then going over there, I just felt that freedom again, and my footy, I felt like it was reflecting that.”

Having only been in All Blacks camp for the Ireland Test during the July Nations Championship window, Ioane already has felt a “slight edge” in camp under Rennie.

“I probably wouldn’t be able to give too detailed an overview of it, just because it was so short. But by all accounts, as I said, probably the boys that have been in here for the whole time, they said that they could, and even coming in, I could sense a different sort of feel and edge around the group.

“It’s sort of hard to like precisely describe it, but it’s been really good. Rennie demands excellence from the boys, and then you see straight after the game, he’s laughing with everyone and whatnot.

“So it’s been a good balance; we know when to work hard and when we can switch off.”

Fixture

Internationals

South Africa

08:10

22 Aug 26

New Zealand

All Stats and Data

After spending the last year or so out of the starting side, Ioane still feels like he has the ambition to represent the All Blacks, and still has things to achieve in the black jersey.

“Look, I think as I touched on, you don’t want to just be a part of this team, you want to be pushing for a bit more, so yeah, definitely ambitious.

“I’m definitely looking forward to putting my best efforts in the best sort of Rieko I can be; I’ve still got lots to achieve.”

Ioane’s name on the All Blacks’ squad list for South Africa is under the outside-backs, something that now doesn’t mean much to the 29-year-old, but maybe would have in years gone by.

“Look, as I said, you know, coming back from [Ireland] I’ve just been really refreshed mentally, and at times I was a bit stubborn, only wanted to be on the midfield, but I feel flexible enough that I can play both now.

“I’ve dropped a bit of weight and started running fast again. It’s a good feeling. So yeah, I’m happy on the wing.”