Mauger switches Ioane to No.10

Dunedin: It appears the days of Josh Ioane in the midfield are over. Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said yesterday Ioane, who had been starting for the Highlanders at second-five eighth before the season was suspended in March, was in competition for the number 10 jersey.

‘‘We see Josh as a 10. There is competition for that number 10 jumper between Josh, Mitch Hunt and Bryn Gatland. That is how we see things at the moment,’’ Mauger said.

Ioane had been tried in the midfield and had been patchy, but Mauger said he was unlikely to be played there again.

Many had criticised the use of Hunt at first five-eighth with Ioane, who played for the All Blacks last year, outside him, as the Highlanders won just one game before the competition was suspended.

Ioane had always been seen as a 10 and playing him one place further out was not an abject failure.

‘‘Mitch had copped a lot of flak, which was upsetting. But when your forward pack is on the front foot the job as a 10 is a whole lot easier. And we did not provide that as a pack.

‘‘That is the challenge for our forward pack now.’’

He said the Highlanders midfielders were back training hard and looking in good form, so there was plenty of options to look at.

Mauger said the intensity of training was increasing.

The side faces the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium on June 13 to kick off the revamped Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.