Tag Archives: Akira Ioane

With a growing list of key All Blacks injured in 2018, Steve Hansen will have a number of selection headaches for the upcoming three-Test series with France in June.

One lucky Lions supporter was the recipient of some good old fashioned Kiwi hospitality – from the mum of an All Black star. Sandra Wihongi met the Lions supporter at her local rugby club and discovered that he was planning to park up and sleep the night in his van. She decided that that just wouldn’t do. Mrs. Wihongi called …

After two defeats already in the 2017 Tour, the Lions are under pressure to get back on track, with the first Test match in Auckland fast approaching. A powerful Lions first team will take on an electric New Zealand Maori selection in Rotorua on Saturday. So which player match ups will see sparks fly in New Zealand’s famous volcanic region? …

New Zealand Maori coach Colin Cooper has named a very powerful and skilful side to face the Lions in Rotorua on Saturday which includes a real sign of attacking intent with the selection of Damian McKenzie at fly-half. The Maori All Black backline is potentially one of the most exciting put together in recent years. James Lowe, who usually plays …

The All Black selectors announced a New Zealand Maori team packed with skill, pace and explosive power – and All Black experience. A lightning quick backline and a formidable looking back row mean that the Lions will be facing much more than the most fearsome haka on their tour. So who will be the main threats as the Maoris take …

An epic battle on Wednesday was decided by a brilliant second-half try by substitute Ihaia West, which gave the Blues a deserved 22-16 over the Lions at Eden Park. The Lions forward pack were strong and several All Black contenders made huge impressions. So how did the players rate? ________ British And Irish Lions 15. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) 6 Solid …

Blues coach Tana Umaga named a powerful side containing eight players capped by the All Blacks to face the Lions at Eden Park on Wednesday. So who will be the most dangerous players for the Lions to watch out for? 1.Akira Ioane Akira Ioane is the older Ioane brother and the one with the most to prove against the Lions. …

As anticipation increases towards the 2017 Lions tour, attention has turned to Steve Hansen’s selection strategy with the All Black squad. While it is generally expected that Hansen’s loyalty to his test regulars will be reflected in the run on 15, there is a real possibility that the electric young stars of New Zealand rugby may be introduced as ‘finishers’ …

The All Blacks squad for the 2019 World Cup could double as a family reunion tour party as more and more siblings rise into selection contention. The latest brother to catch the eye is 18-year-old Kini Naholo, brother of All Black wing, Waisake. In his last first XV game Naholo scored a mere 6 tries in one half. So how …

Steve Hansen has a lot to contemplate before he names his All Blacks squad to face the Lions in June. In the forward pack, he is facing an injury crisis, while in the backs he has a treasure chest of talent to choose from. Will he select conservatively and stay loyal to his experienced but more injury prone All Blacks …

Following Paul Wassell’s article on England’s unprecedented (that’s how you spell it, Donald) squad depth, we take a look at the only team in the way of Eddie Jones’ marauding men: the All Blacks. How does their player depth measure up heading into 2017? _______ Loosehead Props 1. Joe Moody 2. Wyatt Crockett 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi Bubbling under: Daniel Lienert-Brown, …

The Lions hit All Black shores in June next year and will be the obvious highlight of the 2017 season. But while the build-up to the Lions tour will rise to fever pitch, we’re already feeling a few tingles of anticipation about other All Black developments in 2017. Here are the five biggest reasons to look forward to a bumper …

The All Blacks looked mentally and physically exhausted in Paris but still managed to turn on the brilliance when it mattered to win the final match of their international season. So, what have we learned about the All Blacks in 2016? ______ 5. The House Of Barrett Is The Future Beauden Barrett had another spellbinding game in Paris, where he …

As the All Black express rushes towards a world record run of consecutive wins, the Northern tour of Ireland, France and Italy looms as an opportunity to freshen tired squad legs, and blood new exciting talent. We take a look at five young extreme threats on an All Black horizon. Rieko Ioane Rieko Ioane’s bags must already be packed for …

England coach Eddie Jones is an impish character who clearly has a liking for mischief-making. In a recent interview he stated that the all-conquering All Blacks have ‘significant weaknesses’ which he would reveal the next time England play the All Blacks in 2018. So does Eddie see flaws in the All Black armour that the rest of the world has …

The Lions are coming, the drumbeat is growing louder and with every All Blacks win the stakes rise for next year’s tour. Here we open the treasure chest of backline riches at Steve Hansen’s disposal and select three possible exciting 9-15 combinations. ______ 3. Speed The All Blacks are no lumbering brutes. One of their key weapons is the counter-attack and …

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen resisted temptation and selected the tried and trusted over the young and gifted in his Rugby Championship squad, which was announced on Monday. Sonny Bill Williams will be jet-setting from the Rio Olympics straight into the midfield while Julian Savea retains his place despite only featuring from the subs bench for the Hurricanes recently. The Chiefs …

New Zealand Rugby announced their men’s and women’s squads for the Rio Olympics on Sunday, and there are plenty of familiar faces involved in both. With a tiny bit of pomp, Gordon Tietjens and Sean Horan confirmed their travelling squads as rugby returns to the Olympic Games. Both sides consist chiefly of veterans of the Sevens game. Scott Curry will resume his role …