Rieko Ioane
Liam Napier evaluates the work of Rieko Ioane, at both centre and wing, for the All Blacks last month, and what that might mean for him ahead of the rest of the international season.
Liam Napier charts the progress Rieko Ioane has made towards being an international-class centre.
‘If covering both roles is the difference between making the match-day squad and sitting in the stands, expect him to gladly play his part.’
Much like the All Blacks, Rieko Ioane’s transition to centre remains a work in progress.
In many ways that should not surprise, given his relatively youthful 24 years of age and the fact his Test breakthrough came on the left wing.
The conundrum with Ioane is he’s not the first-choice All Blacks centre – Anton Lienert-brown holds that mantle – and he remains among the best options in the No 11 jersey, where he started 26 of his 37 Tests and scored all but one of his 29 international tries.
Ioane made his debut in two Tests off the bench for the All Blacks in 2016. Through the next two seasons, starting 20 times, he was irrepressible on the left edge. Why change a good thing? Well, Ioane has always preferred centre. He played there throughout his time at Auckland Grammar School and in rare appearances for the Ponsonby club. Ultimately, he enjoys being more involved; closer to the action.
Under Tana Umaga’s tutelage, Ioane made the move from wing to centre with the Blues last year. Unlike Umaga, who transitioned to the midfield later in his career, Ioane is determined to switch now.
Ioane’s positional change came at a time when he dropped down the national pecking order in the outside backs, where New Zealand never lacks talent.
At the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks preferred Crusaders wings Sevu Reece and George Bridge, with Ioane appearing three times against Canada, Namibia and the third-place playoff with Wales.
Last year further cluttered the outside back picture thanks to Caleb Clarke’s rapid emergence on the left edge.
After two full Super Rugby seasons at centre, Ioane clearly views his future there. Prior to the opening Test of the year against Tonga, when starting at No 13 outside rookie Chiefs second five Quinn Tupaea, Ioane explained his positional preference.
“I’ve said how much this jersey means to me, and any chance you get to wear the black jersey is a chance to push your case forward,” Ioane said.
“There’s a lot of quality in this team, and a lot of young bucks in midfield… there’s a lot of healthy competition and I’m looking forward to it.
“This year has gone awesome, and more time in the saddle is good experience. Going into midfield from the wing, the game is a whole lot different. I’ve finally realised that now. I was happy with my progress this year and I just hope to keep moving forward.”
Everyone recognises Ioane’s talent – he’s big, strong, fast on the outside break in particular – yet centre is one of the most difficult positions to master, and he still has some way to go.
Defensively he is improving but has been guilty at times of locking in, which can leave his wing exposed – this was evident in his first start at centre for the All Blacks in last year’s drawn Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington.
On attack, Ioane is working on remaining square and having the ability to attack the inside shoulder as well as step out and use his speed to get on the outside of defenders.
Decision-making – when to run, pass or kick – and creating space for others are other work-ons.
yet, as All blacks coach Ian Foster noted before the first Test against Fiji in Dunedin, there is also a realisation that Ioane has only started three Tests at centre, and therefore remains in the early stages of his development there.
Lienert-brown’s absence for the first two Tests of 2021 following minor elbow surgery, coupled with Jack goodhue’s season-ending ACL injury and braydon ennor’s sudden appendicitis opened the door for Ioane in July. Despite being relegated to the bench on Lienertbrown's return, Ioane will be better for those experiences.
“early on it’s been our desire to give him a few runs in there, to give him a chance,” Foster said. “He’s never really had a settled time in that space and in some ways that’s been made easier for us with Anton’s injury and braydon’s injury.
“we’ve seen him in super rugby and I thought he showed some really good signs of growth with the blues. some of the key areas we’ve been a little bit critical of him before he addressed against Tonga, and I was pretty pleased with him there.
“One of the big things is how people defend on the edge. everyone does it slightly differently. It’s not about getting everything right there, it’s about learning what they do and adjusting. you’re not after perfection but you’re after learning through a game, particularly in that centre position, rather than just waiting for the Monday review.”
with Clarke on duty as a travelling reserve with the Olympic sevens team after a disappointing season with the blues, and ennor likely to need time to fully recover and regain his best, Ioane is certain to feature prominently for the All blacks this year.
Those opportunities may, however, come at centre and wing.
After a quiet 2020, Reece’s resurgence this year leaves him favoured to secure the no 11 jersey; however, with bridge struggling to return to form following his appendicitis earlier this year, Ioane could find himself juggling both roles this year.
In the second Test against Fiji in Hamilton, Foster injected Ioane off the bench early in the second half on the unfamiliar right wing – where he claimed a try and impressed with his impact.
“I was really pleased with rieko,” Foster said. “It was a good opportunity to put him on the wing – it came earlier than expected. will Jordan had his hammy tighten up a little bit so we made that decision early.
“He’s looking sharp, rieko. He looked effective on that wing so it’s good to give him some minutes there.”
such versatility can be a blessing and a curse. David Havili’s rise to preferred second five status – in part due to goodhue’s absence and ngani Laumape’s exit to France – points to the success of specialisation.
before scoring two tries against Fiji in Dunedin, Havili last played for the All blacks four years ago. back then he was predominately a fullback who could slot in on the wing. Forced to play a full season for the Crusaders at second five this year, Havili’s range of skills and heady nature shone, in no small part due to settling in one role.
Privately at least, there’s little doubt Ioane would prefer to concentrate solely on centre and leave others to contest the wing spots.
yet if covering both roles is the difference between making the matchday squad and sitting in the stands, expect him to gladly play his part.
As far as establishing his preferred role at centre beyond this year, Ioane has time on his side.