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'Bloody awesome' to be back: Ioane puts All Blacks first
Jaxin Daniels • October 6th, 2026 9:14 am
Rieko Ioane against the Lions on the All Blacks' Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa | Photo: Shaun Roy / PHOTOSPORT
Rieko Ioane says returning to the All Blacks has felt like debuting all over again, and he is ready to play wherever the team needs him as they prepare for the Bledisloe Cup opener on Saturday.
“It's been bloody awesome to be back in camp,” Ioane told Sport Nation's Millsy and Guy.
"There's a whole lot of excitement amongst the boys. And as you said, Bledisloe Cup Tests we take very serious.”
After his time with Leinster in Ireland, Ioane said coming back to a new All Blacks environment brought a fresh sense of energy.
“The feelings and the excitement of coming back in was sort of like when I was first selected,” he said. “Everything was new, everything felt new.”
He says his stint in Ireland also helped him grow as a player and become more independent, while giving him a chance to experience a different style of rugby.
“It’s just helped me grow my game and help me grow up a bit in terms of, you know, living on my own for the majority of the time,” Ioane said.
Rieko Ioane with his teammates at Leinster | Photo: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
His motivations have shifted over the years. Ioane said providing for his family and not letting his teammates down are now central to what drives him.
“It's just about not wanting to let the boys down,” he said. “For me now it's just doing my bit to help the team out wherever I can and, like I said, not let the brothers next to me down.”
That team-first approach extends to where he plays. Asked whether he prefers centre or wing, Ioane left the decision to the coaches.
“Wherever that is on the field is up to the coaches,” he said. “But for myself, I'm just happy to be out there if given the chance.”
The Rieko Ioane Renaissance | Scotty & Izzy
The All Blacks are coming off a tough South Africa tour, and Ioane acknowledged that the series had left players hurting.
But he said the team was turning its attention to Australia and the chance to defend the iconic trans-Tasman trophy.
“There were still a lot of the team hurting, but then again, you know, we can't let it drive us too much because we have a different opposition and a different beast come Saturday,” he said.
Listen to the full interview below:
