Leinster snaps up another All Black superstar
TRANSFER NEWS: Leinster have snapped up another high-profile All Black ahead of their 2025-26 United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup campaigns.
All Black centre Rieko Ioane and the Blues have jointly announced that the outside back will link up with the Irish powerhouse at the conclusion of the current Super Rugby season.
The 28-year-old has represented the Blues 117 times since his debut in 2016 and scored 51 tries for the Auckland-based team.
He has also racked up 81 appearances for the All Blacks and scored 37 tries since 2016. He also started in the 11-12 World Cup Final loss to South Africa in 2023.
Ioane and the Blues confirmed that he will follow the footsteps of All Black teammate Jordie Barrett, who is currently on a sabbatical with Leinster and will return to New Zealand midway through 2026.
“What’s up fam just wanted to announce, I’ll be heading to Leinster at the end of the year on a sabbatical break,” Ioane said on his Instagram account in collaboration with the Blues.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something different with my family.
“[I] will be back refreshed and ready to rock [the] second half of 2026. Until then, locked in with my Blues brothers.”
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