The rise of Ioane an uplifting tale
No 6 delivering his best after some dark days
The numbers behind another dazzling Akira Ioane display tell only half the story. Ioane is the uplifting tale we need. From a dark place two years ago, when he considered walking away from the game, to finding peace and flourishing in the black jersey, Ioane is proof anyone can confront their inner demons and walk tall out the other side — if only with a little help.
Ioane has endured his fair share of detractors since bursting on to the scene and being confined to the fringes of the All Blacks until last season.
There remains, despite compelling evidence in the past two tests against the Wallabies, those who won’t be convinced Ioane is the long-term answer at No 6 until the All Blacks face the Springboks later this month.
In time, Ioane is sure to win them over, too. Not that it matters — one of the main factors in Ioane releasing his obvious potential is learning to tune out social media feedback.
The other point to acknowledge is it’s easy to forget it took Jerome Kaino some time to fully mould into the destructive blindside force he became.
With 88m, nine defenders beaten, two try assists, three clean breaks and 10 tackles, Ioane was the best player in a crowded Perth field for the All Blacks. Brother Rieko’s influence from the left wing wasn’t far behind in another day out for the Ioane boys.
That the elder Ioane’s performance came after he shone at Eden Park, where the All Blacks secured the Bledisloe with a record victory, puts to bed questions about his consistency.
Those doubting his ability to match up against the Springboks haven’t been watching closely enough this year either. Sure, the physicality stakes rise several notches against gnarly South African forwards but Ioane has never been one to shy away from confrontation. He relishes it — too much so at times in his career — and will therefore rise to the Boks challenge when it arrives.
Through this test season, Ioane has already proven his multi-skilled ability. He’s mixed it in close with punishing defence, hard carries and regularly featured as a ball winner at the lineout. In the past two tests, he’s thrived with the extra freedom to roam the edges, break tackles, throw offloads and skip balls to make light work for teammates. He’s done it all.
Ioane has ironically flipped the script on his most common criticism — his apparent lack of work rate.
The secret to Ioane’s form is that he’s stared down greater challenges off the field than he will ever on it.
By reaching out to those around him and working his way through times when he didn’t want to get out of bed, didn’t want to train or play the game he loves in 2019 after letting himself blow out, Ioane now has a much greater appreciation for the position he’s in.
At 26 years old, he’s making up for lost time.
With a new management team showing faith he would deliver, Ioane is clearly comfortable and confident in his own skin while grasping all that is required to thrive as a professional athlete.
With perseverance from both parties and a hungry training etiquette now evident, the All Blacks are reaping the rewards.
“We’re seeing consistency Sunday to Friday, which really means we’re not guessing which player is going to turn up on Saturday,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster said after his side’s comprehensive 38-21 victory in Perth.
“He’s probably used to being told what he does wrong and I think he’s really responding to focusing on what he can do right. I’m seeing a bounce in his step with that approach.
“He’s growing up nicely. Now he’s starting to put a couple of games together, I believe his confidence will keep growing.”
Playing alongside Ardie Savea, All Blacks captain for the first time on Sunday and a fellow proud man of Pasifika descent, has also helped Ioane’s continued rise.
“With Aki, there’s been a lot of doubters,” Savea said. “Seeing him grow off the field, there are little things you didn’t used to see, you’re starting to see now.
“He’s maturing as a man and you’re getting to see the fruit on the field. He’s a beast, a freak, seeing him out in the wide channels and making tackles is awesome.
“I’ve known Aki from the start and I’ve always known that was there, it’s just around how do we bring that out, and you guys are seeing that now.”
Eight appearances into his test career there is much more to come from Ioane’s blossoming yet.