Highlighting his versatility for the All Blacks, coach Dave Rennie backs Rieko Ioane on Saturday to rip into the Vodacom Bulls and stake a claim for a Test spot next week.
Ioane, who has 88 caps for New Zealand, started on the wing against the Stormers last week but will run out at outside centre for the Loftus Versfeld clash.
The 29-year-old starred with a try in Cape Town, proving his worth after being omitted from Rennie’s first squad of 2026 following a sabbatical at Leinster.
Rennie admits Ioane’s expertise and adaptability makes him a contender for the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks next Saturday.
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“I didn’t have much to do with Rieko prior to him going, but he’s been excellent since he’s come in. He’s been dynamic with the ball in hand,” the Kiwi boss said.
“He had a few issues under the high ball, which won’t be an issue as a midfielder, and he’s contributing on defence. Having a player who’s played as many Tests as he has brings a lot of experience.
“No doubt he’ll be trying to stake a claim for a Test spot next week.
“Primarily, we brought him over with the thinking that he’s a winger who could cover centre, and now he’s probably going to be a centre,” he added.
“He’s just realistic that wherever the opportunity lies, he gets to play.”
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On the broader selection picture, Rennie said Saturday’s match against the Bulls could sway his thinking for the Bok showdown.
“You always go into the week with a group of guys in mind, but there are a number of spots where performances this weekend could tilt our thinking,” the coach noted.
“The side we’re playing against the Bulls will be quite different to the first Test team, but there’ll be a number of guys against the Bulls who will back up again.
“Even looking at our wingers, there are some tough decisions there as well. That’s what you want. The job of the players playing this weekend is to apply pressure.”
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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Highlighting his versatility for the All Blacks, coach Dave Rennie backs Rieko Ioane on Saturday to rip into the Vodacom Bulls and stake a claim for a Test spot next week.
The post Rieko has ‘realistic’ chance of tackling Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
