RIEKO IOANE

Position
Centre

Blues debut
2016 vs Reds

Blues caps
108(SR 107)

Blues points
245

Born
18/03/97

Height
188cm

Weight
103kg

Province
Auckland

Provincial debut
2015 vs Taranaki

Rieko Ioane is one of the most dangerous backs in the world and a try scoring threat from anywhere on the field.

The fast and strapping centre/wing signed for the Blues while still attending Auckland Grammar School. He was part of the Blues Under-17 and Under-18 Development Squads and rose to prominence as captain of the New Zealand Secondary Schools team, leading them to victory over Fiji and Australia in 2014.

In January 2015, Rieko was selected to join his brother in the NZ Sevens, contributing two tries in the win over England in the final of the Wellington tournament. Rieko played five times for the Blues in his debut season before representing the All Black Sevens at the Rio Olympics.

In 2016 Reiko earned his first All Blacks cap against Italy and has since established himself as one of world rugby’s premier backline talents. His efforts in the 2017 British & Irish Lions series as well as his incredible strike-rate saw him acknowledged as the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.

His 10 tries in 2018 ensured his popularity among the Blues faithful, taking the Pullmans Auckland Fan Player of the Year award as well as another nomination for the World Rugby Player of the Year.

The 2019 season began much the same for Rieko, scoring nine tries in the season including a memorable four try performance against the Sunwolves.

2020 saw Rieko switch from the wing to the midfield, his preferred position, and the move was telling. His speed, size and power in the middle caused headaches for his opposition, either unable to contain him or overcommitting to do so.

His performances in the Blues midfield were worthy enough to earn All Blacks selection as an outright midfielder.

In recent years at Super Rugby level, Ioane has been among the countries best in metres made, line-breaks and line-break assists. Ioane was instrumental in the Blues securing their first Super Rugby title in 18 years in 2021.

Ioane was at his electric best in 2023, putting in performances to prove he is the premier centre in the country. Along with his brother, Akira, he notched up 100 Blues appearances, the team performing a stirring haka in the changing room for him post-match. The season culminated for Ioane with his second Rugby World Cup appearance in France, with his attacking flair and defensive capabilities on show. He has re-signed with the Blues until 2027 and will be eyeing up a strong Super Rugby Pacific campaign in 2024.