All Black star Rieko Ioane set to embrace the hate at Leinster

By SABC Sport
14th May 2025

All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane is all too aware that his reception at Irish giants Leinster later may be far from warm.

It was announced last month that the 28-year-old would be following in Jordie Barrett's footsteps by agreeing a short-term deal with the Irish giants for the 2025/26 season.

While the Barrett agreement sent shockwaves around the world, the Ioane confirmation caused even more of a stir, given his rather strained relationship with Irish rugby.

The All Blacks star has had a very public spat with Leinster's favourite son, Johnny Sexton, since the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

It will therefore be interesting to see how he is received when the talented back eventually heads over to Dublin.

"Whatever happens, I'm not too sure. By all my friends' accounts, it's about 50/50 at the moment, so we'll try and get that 60/40 in my favour. The reception will be awesome, I can't wait to get over there," Ioane told reporters

"Fans will be fans, I'm no stranger to a bit of this. Rugby needs more of this, I love this side of the game. We'll have to wait and see when I'm over there.

"It is a huge headline, but for me it's more about just getting to the club and playing the best rugby with the boys. I haven't had to meet new teammates for close to eight, nine years. This has always been home, so that's going to be cool too."

The preference for current All Blacks has been to move to Japan on their sabbatical but Barrett, and now Ioane, have gone on a different path by choosing Leinster.

"They're one of those historical clubs and one with a rich history. I haven't seen too much when I've been there, but from what I have, it's been pretty enjoyable," Ioane said.

"It's also something fresh, somewhere myself and my partner haven't visited enough of, so that too.

"I messaged Jordie leading up to it and seeing what his experiences were, how he's coped with and enjoyed the change. His words echoed mine, that it was something fresh, something completely different.

"Although I'm not a golfer, he said it's been awesome. He will look back and have fond memories of his time there.

"The big goal with me signing on with New Zealand for as long as I did is the World Cup. It's a refresh, but I want to grow my game, play a different style of footy, and when I do come back, I'll be well equipped."

Barrett has effectively been playing continuously since last February and will likely feature for the All Blacks when he returns from his stint at Leinster.

That means he may only get a break at the end of the year, prompting fears of burnout for him and Test team-mate Ioane, who will have a similarly strenuous schedule.

"I've spoken closely with [Leinster head coach] Leo [Cullen] over there and they have a plan. Jordie has been looked after so well and he's firing on all cylinders," the Blues star responded.

"He's travelled a bit with his partner which is everything that you expect from a high performance club. I'm sure they'll look after me well and everything will be good."