Rieko Ioane: All Blacks centre to affix Irish provinc Leinster on sabbatical for subsequent season | Rugby Union Information
New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane will be part of Leinster subsequent season from the Blues in Tremendous Rugby on a sabbatical, it has been confirmed.
The 28-year-old has performed for the Auckland aspect since 2016, making his All Blacks debut in the identical yr.
Writing on Instagram on Wednesday, Ioane mentioned: “Whats [sic] up fam simply needed to announce, I will be heading to Leinster on the finish of the yr on a sabbatical break.
“It is an thrilling alternative to play in Eire for an iconic workforce, develop my sport and expertise one thing completely different with my household.
“Might be again refreshed and able to rock second half of 2026. Till then locked in with my blues brothers.”
Ioane will spend six months in Eire from December earlier than returning to New Zealand and follows within the footsteps of worldwide team-mate Jordie Barrett, who joined Leinster on an analogous deal this season.
The Blues mentioned on X: “120 sport Blues veteran Rieko Ioane has taken up the sabbatical clause in his contract and can spend subsequent season at Leinster.
“We may have him again in (the fitting) blue in 2027. Nonetheless received work to do that yr.”
Ioane will rejoin the Blues in Tremendous Rugby after subsequent season
The switch is the most recent in a run of big-name Leinster strikes.
The Dublin-based province beforehand signed Springbok lock RG Snyman from rivals Munster when the latter had been pressured right into a alternative between Snyman and Jean Kleyn.
Leinster have additionally renewed the contract of French tighthead prop Rabah Slimani for subsequent season, a transfer that angered some outdoors the province after new IRFU efficiency director David Humphreys had acknowledged no Irish province can be allowed to signal NIQ (non-Irish certified) front-row gamers from 2025/26 onwards, albeit then softening the stance to say signings can be agreed on a case-by-case foundation.
Ioane – like Jordie Barrett earlier than him – arrives regardless of Leinster’s midfield choices together with Eire internationals Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw.
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