Opportunity knocks for Akira

Akira Ioane is the answer to Steve Hansen’s prayers, as well as being, potentially, the centrepiece of his nightmares.

That’s the enigma wrapped up in a riddle that is the Blues and fringe All Black No 8, who is either on the verge of a breakout season, or about to disappoint the heck out of everyone again, depending on who you listen to.

Ioane, unlike his team, has started the new season promisingly enough. He scored two excellent tries and was one of the better players on the paddock in their opening 41-34 defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Then he unleashed a ripper third five-pointer for the season against the Chiefs midway through the first half last Friday at Eden Park that showcased the enormous potential lurking within. George Moala popped a pass and Ioane had just enough space and more than enough athleticism to reel off a dazzling run to the line that left a succession of defenders in his wake.

It was a score that took the breath away, not to mention the Blues to a 14-5 lead they were unable to sustain.

But it was also his last notable imprint on the match. Thereafter he struggled to test that Chiefs’ defence further, and was part of a Blues loose trio beaten to the punch when it mattered by the combative visiting troika of Sam Cane, Liam Messam and Taleni Seu.

In many ways Ioane’s contribution to the disappointing 27-21 defeat to the Chiefs (the Blues’ 13th match in a row against Kiwi opposition without victory) summed up the precarious position this talented No 8 occupies.

There is no doubt he possesses a tantalising mix of size, power and skill that could make him a valuable contributor at the highest level. But questions continue to hover about workrate, consistency, staying power and attention to the basics.

Ioane is still a young man, at just 22, and time remains on his side. But he has also been knocking on the door for a couple of seasons now and patience is beginning to run a bit thin.

Comparisons to his younger brother Rieko, also an extraordinary talent, are odious. Akira is a loose forward; Rieko a wing. Wings mature early; loosies take a little longer to master the many intricacies of their craft.

But still. Rieko has made the stride to test level with effortless ease, and appears to be a quick study too.

Now Akira has a gilt-edged opportunity in front of him, if he can just be good enough to make the most of it.

The All Blacks desperately need to groom another world-class No 8, not only as a backup to skipper Kieran Read, but also as a successor for 2020 and beyond.

That need is likely to present sooner as well as later. Read is returning from back surgery – a process that will be managed with a minimum of risk.

At the very least Hansen is going to need someone to share the load with Read over the next season or two to help the skipper make it through to 2019 in a fair state of repair. Worst case scenario, the fast-forward button gets depressed

Luke Whitelock is one option. And a very solid one. Maybe Liam Squire could be moved there too. But Akira Ioane would tick a lot of boxes if he could just, well, tick Hansen’s boxes.