Josh Ioane
Date of birth (1995-07-11) 11 July 1995
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
SchoolKing's College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, First five-eighth
Current team Waikato, Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017–2022 Otago 57 (427)
2018–2021 Highlanders 43 (229)
2022– Chiefs 11 (37)
Correct as of 5 April 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Samoa U20 5 (3)
2019 New Zealand 1 (8)
2022 All Blacks XV 1 (0)
Correct as of 5 November 2022

Joshua R. Ioane (born 11 July 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Waikato in the Bunnings NPC and the Chiefs in Super Rugby.[1] His position of choice is fly-half.

Early life

Born in Auckland. Ioane moved to Otago for university, after completing high school at King's College. Ioane was a member of his school’s first XV from years 11 - 13, also representing New Zealand for Touch and Rugby League at school level. Ioane was also eligible to represent Samoa in international rugby through heritage, prior to his All Black debut, having previously represented Samoa U20 in 2015.

Playing career

Ioane was signed to the Highlanders for the 2018 Super Rugby season, having played well in his first season for Otago.

After the departure of established All Black, Lima Sopoaga, from the Highlanders, Ioane became a regular starter for the team during the 2019 Super Rugby season, despite the presence of experienced first-five-eighth, Marty Banks. Ioane was one of the highest points-scorers of the season, with 114 points in the competition.[2]

On 2 July 2019, Ioane was named by head coach Steve Hansen as one of four uncapped players in New Zealand's All Blacks squad for the 2019 Rugby Championship, with utility back Damian McKenzie ruled out for the rest of the year due to a torn ACL.[3] Although named to replace All Black vice-captain Beauden Barrett off the bench against Argentina, Ioane was not brought on to the field, with New Zealand scraping by, winning 20–16.[4]

Having not played any tests during the Rugby Championship, Ioane was left uncapped after the outstanding form of Barrett, as well as Richie Mo'unga. When New Zealand named their squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Ioane was controversially axed, with selectors preferring to take only two first-five-eighths, with Ioane's inexperience deemed to be a risk.[5][6]

Ioane made his international debut for New Zealand against Tonga on 7 September 2019, having been re-called to prevent injury to Richie Mo'unga. Ioane replaced Beauden Barrett at half-time, scoring 8 points on debut. Ioane's contributions brought New Zealand's points tally to a 92–7 win.

On 31 August 2021, Ioane was signed to the Chiefs for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Josh Ioane". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "Super Rugby Stats". www.superrugby/superrugby. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  3. ↑ "Rugby Championship 2019: All Blacks name 39-man squad". newshub.co.nz. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  4. ↑ "All Blacks vs Argentina". allblacks.com. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  5. ↑ "Josh Ioane admits missing out on All Blacks debut was a 'hard pill to swallow'". Paul Cully. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Rugby World Cup: The All Blacks have taken a big risk by omitting Josh Ioane". Paul Cully. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  7. ↑ "Super Rugby: Chiefs sign Josh Ioane after release from Highlanders". Stuff.co.nz. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
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