Eighteen months after infamously wishing Leinster legend Johnny Sexton a happy retirement, All Blacks star Rieko Ioane is on his way to the rugby great’s Irish province in a move fit for a Hollywood blockbuster.
Jaws dropped on Wednesday evening when it was announced that Ioane had accepted a short-term sabbatical deal with the Irish heavyweights.
The 28-year-old All Blacks veteran will arrive in the Irish capital later this year and miss next year’s Super Rugby season, before returning to Super Rugby ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
The 81-Test back will replace his Test teammate Jordie Barrett at the club.
The Roar understands Leinster made a play at luring Len Ikitau to the famed Irish club, but quickly turned their attention to Ioane after the Wallaby decided to accept a deal with Exeter in the English Premiership.
Rieko Ioane will join Leinster following the All Blacks’ end of year tour in 2025. (Photo by Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)
Leinster coach Leo Cullen said he was “thrilled” to sign Ioane on a seven-month deal.
“Similar to our current arrangement with Jordie, we’d like to thank the NZRU for their help facilitating the move,” the former Leinster captain said.
“Rieko is a world-class, 81-cap All Black who has been operating at the very top level of the international game and Super Rugby for many seasons.
“He is an exciting, versatile outside back who will bring pace, rugby skills and experience to Leinster. That experience will add massive value to the group here and our younger players especially will learn so much from seeing how Rieko prepares, trains and plays.
“We can’t wait to welcome Rieko to Leinster and I’m sure all our supporters will join me in making him and his family feel at home when the time comes.”
Ioane, who has scored 37 tries for the All Blacks and featured prominently at two World Cups, said he was hoping to grow his game.
“I’m looking forward to this exciting opportunity to play in Ireland and in Leinster, and to grow my game with such an iconic club with a rich history,” he said.
“I’m also looking forward to opening myself and my family up to new experiences away from home and to growing together in a new environment.
“I’d like to thank Leo and Leinster Rugby for the opportunity and NZRU and my Blues brothers. We’ve work to do yet this season, and I’m locked in for that, but I look forward to touching down in Dublin later this year and meeting all the Leinster supporters.”
Fans will undoubtedly get the popcorn ready after Ioane taunted Sexton following the All Blacks’ epic 28-24 quarter-final win at the 2023 World Cup in Paris.
Ioane told Sexton, who had enjoyed Ireland’s recent success against the All Blacks, including the 2022 series win on New Zealand shores, to enjoy retirement and to not miss his flight home following the quarter-final.
Rieko Ioane celebrates knocking out Ireland in the 2023 World Cup quarterfinals at Stade de France on October 14. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Sexton wrote about the incident in his book last year and Ioane was widely painted as public enemy No 1 in the build-up to the All Blacks and Ireland rematch in Dublin last November.
Ioane led the haka in that test as the All Blacks ended Ireland’s 19-match unbeaten run at Aviva Stadium.
Ioane then twisted the knife in by posting a picture to social media with the caption “put that in the book” to double down on his villain status in Ireland.
Replacing Barrett will be a hard act to follow.
The All Blacks regular was named man of the match after another strong performance in Leinster’s 52-0 Champions Cup quarter-final demolition of Glasgow in Dublin over the weekend. The shutout came a week after smashing Harlequins 62-0.
Sabbaticals have become increasingly common practice in New Zealand in recent years, with Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie enjoying spells in Japan recently.
Several Australians, including Rob Valetini, Angus Bell, Tate McDermott and Ikitau, have sabbaticals included in their deals, but finding homes willing to take them in for a short time isn’t always as easy.
