Reiko Ioane. Photo: Nic Bothma/ActionPress
Rieko Ioane will join Irish powerhouse club Leinster next season on a sabbatical break starting later this year, following the path trodden by fellow All Blacks back Jordie Barrett.
Ioane will activate a sabbatical clause in his contract which allows him to skip one Super Rugby Pacific season with the Blues and spend six months abroad.
It comes after Barrett - the other half of New Zealand's first-choice midfield in recent seasons - joined Leinster last November on a short-term deal.
Ioane will remain contracted with the All Blacks through to the 2027 World Cup, with his break set for a window ending in June 2026.
Rieko Ioane leads the haka as the All Blacks met Ireland in Dublin. Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Under head coach Leo Cullen, a Leinster side littered with Ireland internationals are dominating the United Rugby Championship league and are through to the semi-finals of Europe's elite Champions Cup.
"I'm looking forward to this exciting opportunity to play in Ireland and in Leinster and to grow my game with such an iconic club with a rich history," he said in a statement.
"I'm also looking forward to opening myself and my family up to new experiences away from home and to growing together in a new environment.
"I'd like to thank Leo and Leinster Rugby for the opportunity and NZRU and my Blues brothers. We've work to do yet this season, and I'm locked in for that, but I look forward to touching down in Dublin later this year and meeting all the Leinster supporters."
Ioane also informed supporters of his plans in a social media post.
Cullen said Leinster would benefit from Ioane's experience.
"Rieko is a world-class, 81-cap All Black who has been operating at the very top level of the international game and Super Rugby for many seasons," Cullen said.
"He is an exciting, versatile outside back who will bring pace, rugby skills and experience to Leinster.
"That experience will add massive value to the group here and our younger players especially will learn so much from seeing how Rieko prepares, trains and plays."
Rieko Ioane in action for the All Blacks against Ireland. Photo: photosport
There is some irony in Ioane's move given his public feud with former Ireland captain and Leinster player Johnny Sexton.
It began when Ioane taunted Sexton after the All Blacks beat Ireland in the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals, and which created some backlash from Irish media.
- RNZ / Reuters
