Ioane puts pressure on

Rieko Ioane, the Blues’ hat-trick hero against the Rebels, was originally slated to play on the wing rather than his preferred centre position, but his standout performance in Melbourne has made it virtually impossible for coach Tana Umaga to move him.

The performance of the powerful 19-year-old, a New Zealand sevens star last year and one clearly with a big future in the 15s game after he made his All Black debut on the November tour, has made it relatively easy for Umaga in terms of selection.

That makes pushing for a starting spot potentially tougher for fellow All Black midfielders Rene Ranger and George Moala.

Another convincing performance from Ioane in the No 13 jersey against the Chiefs in Hamilton tomorrow could keep his two midfield rivals on the bench, although Ranger also has the ability to play on either wing.

Both Ranger (knee) and Moala (elbow) are returning from injuries suffered last year and will be guaranteed opportunities over the course of a season which doesn’t finish until August, but Ioane is currently calling the shots and Piers Francis is seen as a lock-in at second-five for his ability to communicate outside No 10 Ihaia West.

“We’ve had a plan in pre-season with Rieko and we talked about it — it was going to be on the wing, but then we had George and Rene come back not as quickly . . . so he got a first opportunity at centre,” Umaga said.

“If you get opportunities, it’s up to you what you do with them. He’s taken his with two hands — he wants to be a centre, so he’s put the pressure on us as coaches to select him.

“When players are playing well, we’ve got to go with those who are doing what we asked them to do. Now it’s on those others to match that or be better.”

It was noticeable that Ranger was eager to impress once he took