Call better than Rio
I was a little kid was always to be an All Black, so that call was huge, not only for myself, but for my family.
“I didn’t know whether I was in with a shot or not with this team. I was just trying to play the best footy I could for Auckland. The results didn’t go our way this year, but I was trying to play the best I could to help the team and help myself.”
Ioane, who scored 10 tries for Auckland this season, was in stunning form on the wing for Tana Umaga’s Blues in their Super Rugby season, but the All Blacks also view him as a potential midfielder, a position for which he has shown a liking.
The selectors will allow him to develop on the wing for the moment, behind proven talent in Savea, Naholo and Israel Dagg — with Nehe Milner-Skudder still injured. Ioane is happy with that.
“I’d be happy to play prop if I could,” he said. “I’m just happy to be in the squad. Running the water, playing wing or the midfield, I’m just happy to be in the environment.
“There’s going to be lots to learn. I went for that week in Wellington. It was only a week and there was lots to learn, so I can only imagine what it’s going to be like on a big tour.”
As for training under Nic Gill, who Hansen calls the best in the business, that’s a good thing, Ioane said.
“I’m not as fit as I could be. Gilly is probably going to get me in shape in a few weeks so I’m definitely looking forward to that.”