ABS call up Ioane, Mckenzie
It’s back from Rio and into the All Blacks rugby squad for sevens speedster Rieko Ioane, who is among five injury reinforcements summoned for Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup rugby test in Wellington.
The sevens Olympian joins Chiefs fullback Damian Mckenzie, Chiefs midfielder Seta Tamanivalu, Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman and Blues hooker James Parsons as those called into camp.
Those ruled out of Saturday’s test are hookers Codie Taylor (head knock) and Nathan Harris (knee), midfielders Ryan Crotty (head knock) and George Moala (knee) and wing Waisake Naholo (hamstring).
Flanker Matt Todd has also been released from the All Blacks squad to rejoin Canterbury for their next NPC match.
Ioane is in as both a wing and midfield option, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
‘‘He had a very good Super season and he’s really someone that we see in the future that could have a long career,’’ Hansen said.
He added there was ‘‘a possibility’’ the 19-year-old could feature in the 23 on Saturday. It would seem a pretty big stage for himto suddenly arrive on, but the coach said Ioane had packed a lot of highlevel rugby into his short career sevens and 15-a-side career.
‘‘But this environment I’m sure will really test him so we’ll just have to monitor that and see how he copes with it. If we think he’s coping well enough withit, then he may get an opportunity. If he’s not then he won’t,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘What I do know is that the time being spent with us will be worthwhile. We’ll get payback for it somewhere, wither in the short term or the long term.’’
The All Blacks’ hooking depth gets a stern test after Saturday’s 42-8 win over Australia in Sydney when Taylor was forced off in the opening few minutes and Dane Coles had to brave a rib injury to see out the match.
But Hansen said Coles had pulled up surprisingly well from that outing, but the ideal scenario would be for him not to play so many minutes this week.
Coltman is rooming with Coles, so you can read what you like into that. But spending a week around the team’s senior hooker wouldn’t be a bad preparation for the Highlander.
In the midfield the stocks are being tested, too, with Tamanivalu back after debuting in the Wales series and Ioane getting a taste of All Blacks camp with Hansen previously showing interest in the teenage star as a potential centre.
Mckenzie, after an impressive Super Rugby season, was called in for the Wales series but didn’t get a game, and wasn’t required in the initial Rugby Championship squad.